Lahore: Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, has announced that Pakistan is effectively managing the global fuel crisis, assuring citizens that there is no shortage of petroleum products in the country. He made these remarks during a news conference held alongside Minister for Climate Change, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, in Lahore.
According to Radio Pakistan, Attaullah Tarar emphasized that the government has maintained a steady supply of fuel, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif actively overseeing the situation and receiving daily updates from all relevant ministries. The Minister outlined that the global and regional challenges, including an unprecedented rise in oil prices and regional tensions affecting supply chains, have demanded proactive measures from the government.
Attaullah Tarar called on citizens to practice energy conservation, stressing the importance of using fuel judiciously. He highlighted that the Prime Minister had convened meetings with leadership from all four provinces and implemented targeted subsidies to alleviate the financial burden on the public. Over the past three weeks, 129 billion rupees have been allocated for subsidies on petroleum products.
The Information Minister also revealed that the government has introduced a subsidy for buses and goods transport, with a digital wallet system established to ensure transparent distribution. These measures, along with the Prime Minister's interventions, have led to a reduction in petrol prices by 80 rupees per liter. Ministries and provincial governments have been instructed to prioritize relief and convenience for citizens.
Dr. Musadik Malik, in his remarks, acknowledged the government's multiple challenges but reiterated the commitment to providing targeted subsidies to deserving segments of society. He assured the public that steps are in place to guarantee a continuous supply of petroleum products nationwide. Additionally, the Prime Minister announced a subsidy of 1,500 rupees per acre for farmers to bolster the agriculture sector and a subsidy of one hundred thousand rupees each for passenger buses to curb fare increases.