ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to take strong action against the smuggling and illegal hoarding of petroleum products.
The Prime Minister gave these instructions while chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday. The meeting reviewed the supply chain of petroleum products and the government’s austerity measures introduced due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The war between the US, Israel, and Iran, which began on February 28, has badly disrupted oil supplies. Much of the trouble stems from problems in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route that once carried a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil and 20 percent of liquefied natural gas.
PM Rejects Further Price Hikes
The government had earlier increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per litre and announced tough austerity steps on March 9. However, PM Shehbaz revealed that he has already rejected three proposals for further hikes in fuel prices.
He stressed that the federal government remains focused on protecting low-income families. The Prime Minister asked relevant ministries to consult with the provinces and present final recommendations soon for providing more relief to ordinary citizens.
“The federal government has taken significant steps over the past three weeks to provide relief to low-income groups, and it will continue to take such measures in the future as well,” he said.
Sufficient Stocks Available
He assured the nation that sufficient stocks of petroleum products are available to meet the country’s needs, thanks to timely decisions taken by the government.
“Providing relief to the people is our top priority,” the Prime Minister asserted.
The meeting was briefed that petroleum supply, demand, and the entire supply chain are being closely monitored through a digital dashboard. Officials also updated the Prime Minister on the progress of austerity measures already in place.
