The government has removed SMS charges for citizens registering under the Prime Minister’s Fuel Subsidy Scheme, making the registration process more accessible for eligible low- and middle-income vehicle owners. The decision is aimed at reducing the cost associated with applying for the fuel relief programme and comes as the government continues the nationwide implementation of the subsidy scheme.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif directed that the SMS required for registration under the Petrol Subsidy Scheme be made completely free of cost. The decision was communicated through a statement issued by the Media Wing of the Prime Minister’s Office, confirming that applicants will no longer have to pay for the registration message that was previously subject to standard SMS charges.
The Prime Minister’s Fuel Subsidy Scheme covers owners of motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles with engine capacity of up to 800cc. The eligibility criteria are intended to cover smaller vehicles commonly used for personal transportation as well as livelihood activities. By removing the SMS cost, the government has sought to eliminate an additional expense from the initial registration process for applicants seeking the fuel subsidy.
The registration facility is being implemented across Pakistan and also covers Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. This nationwide scope means eligible vehicle owners in different regions can use the designated SMS-based registration process to apply for the scheme. The government’s decision to make the message free applies to the registration SMS itself, allowing applicants to submit the required information without incurring the previous messaging charge.
Eligible applicants are required to send an SMS to 9771 in the prescribed format. The message must begin with “REG,” followed by a space, the applicant’s Computerised National Identity Card number, the vehicle number plate, the first letter of the province where the vehicle is registered, and the vehicle registration date. Applicants need to provide the information in the specified sequence so that the registration request can be processed through the designated system.
The SMS registration process provides an alternative to more complicated application procedures by allowing eligible citizens to submit their details through a mobile phone. With the registration message now free, applicants do not need to factor in an SMS charge when submitting their request. The change is particularly relevant for citizens who may otherwise face difficulty completing the registration process because of the additional cost involved in sending the required message.
The subsidy programme is focused on motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles with engine capacity of up to 800cc, covering vehicle owners who fall within the scheme’s specified eligibility requirements. Applicants are required to ensure that the information included in their registration message matches their official identity and vehicle registration records. The prescribed format requires several pieces of information, including the CNIC number and vehicle details, which are used as part of the registration process.
The government has also provided an online source for additional information about the Prime Minister’s Fuel Subsidy Scheme. Applicants seeking further details about the programme, including registration-related guidance, can consult the scheme’s Urdu website. The official information platform has been made available to help eligible citizens understand the requirements and process before submitting their registration request.
The removal of SMS charges represents a change to the registration mechanism rather than an expansion of the stated vehicle eligibility criteria. The scheme continues to cover motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles with engine capacity of up to 800cc, while the registration SMS can now be sent without cost. The facility is available nationwide, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
With registration continuing through the designated 9771 number, eligible applicants can use the prescribed SMS format to submit their details for consideration under the fuel subsidy programme. The government’s latest measure removes the earlier messaging cost and is intended to make access to the registration process easier for citizens covered by the Prime Minister’s Fuel Subsidy Scheme.
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