Islamabad: Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik chaired a meeting on Thursday to review the payments under the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme and to assess the supply chain, transportation, and logistics arrangements for ensuring uninterrupted fuel availability nationwide. Representatives from Pakistan Railways, OGRA, the Oil Companies Advisory Council, Oil Marketing Companies, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, and the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association attended the meeting.

According to Press Information Department, the Federal Minister expressed appreciation for the petroleum dealers’ associations for their cooperation and support for the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme. Malik emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining uninterrupted fuel supplies in the face of potential law and order situations or road closures, directing stakeholders to make advance arrangements for smooth petroleum product movement.

The Additional Secretary Railways assured the meeting attendees of maximum train bogie availability for transporting High Speed Diesel, particularly to ensure supply continuity in KP during road transport disruptions. Pakistan State Oil was directed to ensure adequate fuel availability at depots, reporting that additional stocks had been arranged at critical depots to counter potential disruptions.

OGRA informed the meeting about establishing a dedicated control room for crisis management and coordination to ensure continuous petroleum product availability at retail outlets. The Minister also stressed uninterrupted crude supply and product dispatch for Attock Refinery Limited to prevent shutdowns due to logistical constraints.

The meeting reviewed the payment mechanism under the scheme, noting that payments had been made to over 8,500 out of approximately 10,000 petrol pumps by Thursday. The Minister urged prompt resolution of minor issues, such as account number mismatches, to ensure timely payments and continued public relief.

Ali Pervaiz Malik instructed OGRA to take action against petrol pumps not providing eligible customers with the scheme’s fuel relief. Leaders from the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association and the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association expressed their support and gratitude, assuring the government of their continued cooperation in the scheme’s implementation. Chairman of the Oil Companies Advisory Council praised the scheme as a successful initiative for public relief.

The Federal Minister reiterated the importance of close coordination among stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies and effective implementation of the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme.