Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif reviews fuel supply situation in country
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reviewed the fuel supply situation in the country in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict while emphasising efforts to provide “further relief to weaker segments.”
Implementation of Government measures for fuel savings, suggestions for the future course of action, and the current stock were discussed in the meeting, according to a statement issued by the PM Office.
An audit report by the Intelligence Bureau on the progress of implementation of the Prime Minister’s fuel savings measures and the austerity campaign was also presented, it added.
An increase in the levy on high-octane fuel used in elite large vehicles has not resulted in any change in jet fuel prices, it said.
A coordination is being established with provincial Governments to expedite the ownership registration of individuals with motorcycles and rickshaws to benefit from potential relief measures.
“In this hour of difficulty, the economically weaker segments will not be left alone,” PM Sharif said.
The Prime Minister said that Government expenditures have been reduced, developmental budget cuts have been implemented, and 60 per cent of Government vehicles have been immediately suspended.
“In the current situation, the sequence of sacrifices has been started with cuts in Government expenditures,” he said, adding that proposals to increase oil prices have been repeatedly rejected, and the funds obtained from savings measures have been utilised for public relief.
Sharif also said that Pakistan is making full efforts on the diplomatic front regarding peace in the region.
The meeting was held a day after the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye visited Islamabad for a quadrilateral meeting on the West Asia crisis.
After a detailed discussion, the foreign ministers went back, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar indicated that a meeting between the US and Iran officials was possible.
