Good News for Consumers: PM Shehbaz Orders Immediate Action to Cut Fuel Prices
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik to take immediate steps to provide relief to consumers by exploring ways to reduce fuel prices.
The prime minister issued the directives during a meeting with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, where the current fuel price situation and possible measures to provide relief to the public were discussed. Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Climate Change Minister Dr Musadik Masood Malik and National Assembly member Hamza Shehbaz also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz instructed the petroleum minister to immediately travel to Karachi and hold direct talks with local oil refineries. The purpose of the discussions is to explore the possibility of reducing the prices of locally produced diesel and passing the benefit on to consumers.
The prime minister pointed out that a significant portion of the country’s diesel supply is produced by local refineries. He stressed that every possible measure should be considered to reduce the cost of locally manufactured diesel and provide immediate relief to the public.
Shehbaz Sharif directed the petroleum minister to personally engage with the refineries and complete the negotiations as soon as possible. He emphasized that the government wants to ensure that consumers receive maximum possible relief and that any opportunity to reduce fuel prices should be utilized without unnecessary delay.
The directives come shortly after the government announced an increase in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel. According to the Petroleum Division’s notification, petrol became Rs3.34 per litre more expensive, while the price of high-speed diesel increased by Rs5.27 per litre.
Following the latest adjustment, the price of petrol reached Rs334.54 per litre, while high-speed diesel was fixed at Rs395.69 per litre. The revised prices came into effect from August 19.
The recent increase has raised concerns among consumers, motorists and businesses, as higher fuel prices can directly affect transportation costs and contribute to increased expenses for goods and services.
The prime minister’s latest instructions indicate that the government is now looking for ways to offset some of the impact of the recent price increase through negotiations with local refineries.
The outcome of the talks in Karachi will determine whether a reduction in locally produced diesel prices can be achieved and how much relief can ultimately be passed on to consumers. The government has stressed that providing immediate relief to the public remains a priority.
