By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz said the government is moving to protect lower- and middle-income Pakistanis from the impact of higher fuel prices triggered by the global energy shock following the war involving Iran.
In a series of austerity steps rolled out over the past few weeks, authorities have moved to curb fuel consumption through deep cuts in development spending and tighter controls on non-essential government expenditures. The measures are designed to free up resources for public relief without passing the full cost of imported oil onto consumers.
Sharif chaired a high-level meeting Monday to review the Middle East conflict’s effect on Pakistan’s petroleum stocks and the relief efforts under way, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. Officials told the session that the federal government is working with provincial authorities to complete registration of motorcycle and rickshaw owners so they can access subsidized fuel schemes.
The subsidised-fuel plan for motorcyclists and three-wheeler drivers was first announced on March 17 as oil prices surged. “We will not leave the economically weaker section of the society alone in this hour of difficulty,” Sharif said in remarks carried by the PMO statement.
The prime minister detailed further belt-tightening. The government has imposed significant reductions in development-sector budgets and decided to stop using 60% of its official vehicles. Rather than raising pump prices, the administration is absorbing the higher cost of oil and channeling the savings directly into relief programs for the public, he said. Those programs will be delivered through a new digital system.
Sharif told the meeting that the government’s prompt action on the fuel crisis had prevented any disruption in domestic supply. He also noted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to help restore peace in the Middle East.
Participants discussed the implementation of fuel-conservation measures, the next phase of the austerity campaign and the current level of fuel stocks. An Intelligence Bureau audit report on the progress of the spending cuts was presented to the prime minister.
Officials briefed Sharif that adequate fuel reserves are in place to meet national requirements and that arrangements are being made to secure future supplies. The recent increase in high-octane petrol prices for large vehicles has not affected jet-fuel costs, they said. Stocks of essential medicines are also sufficient to cover the country’s needs, according to the briefing.
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