Summary: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered strict action against petrol pumps that are not passing on government relief on petroleum products to consumers. In a federal cabinet meeting, he said that the government has stopped a possible increase in the price of petrol by Rs 15 per litre by sharing the windfall profits of refineries. According to the Prime Minister, 75 million people have benefited from the fuel token scheme, and Rs 28 billion has been spent for this purpose. The meeting also discussed a Rs 160 billion package for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and efforts for regional peace.
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered strict action against petrol pumps that are not passing on government relief on petroleum products to consumers and directed the Petroleum Minister to take immediate notice of the complaints.
Addressing the federal cabinet meeting, the prime minister said that complaints have been received against some petrol pumps for not providing relief. He directed the Petroleum Minister to take action against such pumps so that the public gets the benefit of the government’s decisions.
Shehbaz Sharif said that last Friday, there was a possibility of an Rs15 increase in the price of petrol per litre; however, the government took timely steps to prevent this increase from being passed on to the consumers.
According to him, the Petroleum Minister and OGRA contacted local refineries and asked them to contribute to the extraordinary profits, as a result of which the public was protected from the possible increase.
The prime minister said that the government is taking steps to protect the public from the effects of rising energy prices. He also expressed his determination to provide relief to consumers through the import of LPG and improve transparency in this sector.
Referring to the fuel relief scheme, Shahbaz Sharif said that 75 million people have benefited from fuel tokens, while Rs28 billion has been spent on this programme so far.
The Prime Minister further said that a package of Rs160 billion has been finalised for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that establishing law and order in the province is the top priority of the government, and steps will be taken to eliminate terrorism with the cooperation of the new provincial government.
Discussing the global energy situation, the Prime Minister said that due to tension and insecurity in the region, oil prices have increased in the global market, which is having an impact on the economies of various countries.
He said that Pakistan is continuing diplomatic efforts to establish peace in the region and reduce tensions. According to the prime minister, the talks in Tehran took place in a pleasant atmosphere, which can help in advancing the ongoing efforts for regional peace.
Shahbaz Sharif said that the government is trying to ensure that the unnecessary burden of rising energy prices in the global market is not transferred to the Pakistani people.
We welcome your contributions to The Pakistan Observer, Submit your blogs, articles, press releases, news story pitches and news features.
Please send your submissions to our News Room or Editorial team.
