Free SMS for Petrol Subsidy Scheme
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered that the SMS required to register for the government’s petrol subsidy scheme be provided free of charge. The directive came during a high level meeting in Islamabad where the Prime Minister reviewed the rollout of the PM Special Relief Scheme, which offers a fuel discount to owners of motorcycles, rickshaws and small cars affected by rising petrol prices.
This guide explains what the free SMS order means, who is eligible, and the exact step by step process to register through code 9771, based on official statements from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, and Radio Pakistan.
October 2026 Update: PM Reviews Fuel Relief Scheme
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a review meeting on the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme on 1 October 2026. According to the official briefing, over 8.4 million individuals have registered under the scheme so far, while more than 7.5 million citizens have benefited since its launch on 15 September 2026. Of the 12.2 million fuel subsidy tokens issued, 10.3 million have been utilized. The scheme covers 129 districts nationwide, with all petrol pumps facilitating beneficiaries.
7 October 2026 update: Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja says over 9.5 million people have received subsidised petrol under the scheme as of 7 October 2026 (Al Jazeera).
The Prime Minister appreciated the Deputy Prime Minister, the IT, Information, Economic Affairs and Finance Ministers, OGRA and all federal and provincial officials associated with the scheme. He said the robust database developed through the fuel subsidy scheme would also be utilized to assist citizens in the future. Citizens who availed the subsidy in the first and second rounds can claim it again for the upcoming week.
Aasaan Khidmat Centres Expansion
On 1 October 2026 the Prime Minister separately chaired a meeting on Pakistan Aasaan Khidmat Centres and directed their expansion to other parts of the country in collaboration with the private sector, along with expedited work on centres in Muzaffarabad, Gilgit and Skardu and new centres in Peshawar and Bannu. The Islamabad centre processed over 171,000 applications from January to September with 99.5 percent citizen satisfaction.
What Is the PM Fuel Relief Scheme
The PM Fuel Relief Scheme, also called the PM Special Relief Scheme, is a targeted petrol subsidy launched in response to a sharp rise in fuel prices caused by conflict in the Middle East. It provides a discount of Rs 100 per litre on petrol to eligible owners of:
- Motorcycles
- Rickshaws and Qingqis (three-wheelers)
- Cars with engine capacity up to 800cc
The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet approved Rs 75 billion for the scheme, with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication managing delivery through a digital Fuel Pass System. The scheme is restricted to non commercial users, and relief is limited to one vehicle per user.
Funding approved (October 2026)
The government has approved Rs 75 billion for the scheme’s first three months (until November 2026). Monthly cost has risen from Rs 25–30 billion to Rs 35–40 billion, and the government says it is prepared to run the scheme for up to 10 months.
The IMF has asked for the scheme to be capped at three months with relief routed through BISP; an IMF team is in Islamabad this week.
Why the Free SMS Order Matters
Registration for the scheme is done entirely through SMS, and each message carries a standard network charge. To remove this cost barrier for low income applicants, the Prime Minister directed that the registration SMS be made free. He also ordered a wider awareness campaign across print, electronic, digital and social media, along with support from Islamabad’s administration and volunteers nationwide, so that more eligible citizens complete registration without difficulty.
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Eligibility for the Petrol Subsidy Scheme
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vehicle types | Motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqis, and cars up to 800cc |
| Usage | Non commercial use only |
| Vehicles per applicant | One vehicle per CNIC |
| SIM requirement | Mobile number must be registered on the applicant’s own CNIC |
| Vehicle ownership check | Verified electronically against provincial excise and transport records |
How to Register: Step-by-Step SMS Process
Registration can be completed from home, without visiting any government office.
- Make sure the SIM you are using is registered in your own name and linked to your CNIC.
- Open your phone’s messaging app.
- Send an SMS to 9771 containing four details in order: your CNIC number, your vehicle registration (plate) number, the first letter of the province where the vehicle is registered, and the vehicle’s registration date.
- Wait for a confirmation SMS once your details are verified.
The vehicle’s registration date is used as an extra check to confirm genuine ownership and to prevent fraudulent or stolen vehicle registrations.
From 20 September 2026, the condition that the bike must be registered in the applicant’s own name has been removed — the registration date on the documents is sufficient.
How to Get Your Fuel Token
Registration alone does not get you subsidised petrol. Before visiting a petrol pump, registered beneficiaries must:
- Send the message TOK to 9771.
- Receive an SMS containing a fuel relief token number.
- Show this token number to the attendant at the petrol pump.
- The pump staff verify the token against your registration before applying the Rs 100 per litre discount.
Subsidy Amount and Monthly Limits
| Vehicle Category | Fuel per Token | Discount per Token | Frequency | Monthly Limit | Maximum Monthly Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqis | 5 litres | Rs 500 | Once a week | 20 litres | Rs 2,000 |
| Cars up to 800cc | 10 litres | Rs 1,000 | Once every 10 days | 30 litres | Rs 3,000 |
A new token cannot be requested while a previous one is still active. It must be used or allowed to expire first.
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Rollout Schedule Across Pakistan
- Islamabad: Subsidised petrol became available from the night between September 14 and 15, 2026.
- Rest of Pakistan, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan: Relief begins from the night between September 16 and 17, 2026.
Registration itself opened before either rollout date, so citizens across the country were able to register in advance of relief becoming available in their region.
Registration Progress So Far
According to a briefing given to the Prime Minister, more than 600,000 SMS messages had been received in the Islamabad region alone by Monday afternoon, and 42,933 applicants had successfully completed registration for the scheme at that point.
Where to Find Official Information
Complete details of the fuel subsidy scheme, including eligibility and updates, are available on the government’s dedicated portal, pmfuelrelief.pk. Citizens are encouraged to rely only on this official source and on government statements for the latest scheme details, since terms can be updated by official notification.
Beware of Scams
The government has repeatedly warned citizens not to share their CNIC number, OTP, or any personal or banking details with anyone claiming to help with registration. Officials have made clear that:
- Registration and the fuel token are completely free of cost.
- No one from the government will contact beneficiaries by phone, WhatsApp, or SMS to demand money, an OTP, or additional registration information.
- Anyone asking for payment to “speed up” or “increase” your subsidy is committing fraud and should be reported.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the registration SMS really free?
Yes. The Prime Minister has directed that the SMS required for registration under this scheme be provided free of charge.
What number do I send the SMS to?
Send your registration details to 9771, and later send TOK to the same number to receive your fuel token.
Can I register more than one vehicle?
No. The scheme allows relief for only one vehicle per applicant or owner.
What happens if my SIM is not registered in my own name?
Your registration will not be verified successfully, since the system checks that the SIM used is linked to the applicant’s own CNIC.
Is diesel included in this scheme?
No. The subsidy applies to petrol only.
Conclusion
The free SMS order removes a small but real cost barrier for the millions of motorcycle, rickshaw and small car owners this scheme is designed to help. With registration open through code 9771 and fuel tokens available on demand through TOK, eligible citizens across Pakistan, including Islamabad, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, can now access Rs 100 per litre relief on petrol. For the latest updates, always confirm details on the official portal, pmfuelrelief.pk, before relying on any other source.