Govt considers ‘petroleum smart lockdown’ amid rising fuel prices

ISLAMABAD: The federal government is considering imposing a “petroleum smart lockdown” in view of rising prices of petroleum products, ARY News reported.

Under the proposed smart lockdown, a four-day working week has been suggested for government and private offices, while Friday, Saturday and Sunday may be declared holidays to reduce transportation and fuel consumption.

A proposal to introduce a rotational working formula for government employees is also under consideration.

The proposals were reviewed at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The meeting also considered a proposal to ground 50% of government vehicles as part of measures to reduce fuel consumption.

ARY News correspondent Azhar Farooq reported that different proposals were reviewed during the meeting.

Earlier, the Ministry of Information Technology issued the registration procedure for the Prime Minister’s special petrol relief scheme, under which eligible citizens will receive a Rs100 per litre discount on petrol.

According to the Ministry of IT, an automated digital system has been developed in cooperation with NADRA, telecom operators and provincial departments for registration and verification.

Owners of motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqi rickshaws and vehicles up to 800cc will be eligible for the relief.

Motorcycle and Qingqi owners will receive discounted petrol for up to 20 litres per month, while owners of vehicles up to 800cc will be eligible for a maximum of 30 litres per month.

Vehicle ownership will be verified automatically through provincial transport and excise departments, the ministry said.

For registration, citizens will have to send an SMS from a SIM registered in their own name in the prescribed format. The registration message must include the citizen’s CNIC number, vehicle number, provincial code and registration date.

Successful applicants will receive a confirmation message on their mobile phones.

Before visiting a petrol pump, beneficiaries will have to send “TOK” to 9771. They will receive a token, which must be shown at the petrol pump to obtain petrol at the discounted rate.

The supply of discounted petrol will begin in Islamabad on the night between Monday and Tuesday, while the scheme will be extended across the country on the night between Wednesday and Thursday.