Petrol Subsidy Scheme Will Continue for the Public Even If It Has to Be Run for 10 Months: Ali Pervaiz Malik
LAHORE (Qudrat Daily) — Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik has said that the government will continue the petrol subsidy scheme to provide relief to the public, and if it has to be run for 10 months, it will be maintained for the people. Speaking to the media in Lahore, the Federal Minister said that the government fully understands the difficulties of the people, and as soon as petroleum product prices decrease in the global market, its benefit will be passed on to the public.
He stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has introduced a petrol subsidy scheme based on Rs 100 per litre relief, under which more than 6 million people have already registered. The number of 20-year-old motorcycles in the country is also more than 25 million.
According to Ali Pervaiz Malik, the government intends to continue the subsidy scheme until the end of the war to provide protection to the people, while the government is spending Rs 35 to 40 billion per month on this project.
The Federal Minister thanked petrol pump owners across the country, saying that they delivered the benefit of the subsidy to the people without any additional charges. He said that the government will not adopt the past policy of giving relief without preparation, because such a situation could push the country close to bankruptcy. Clarifying his statement from last week, he said that his position was not presented in the correct manner.
He said that he had stated that if a petrol shortage occurs, it would be difficult to keep prices under control; however, due to the timely and better decisions of the Prime Minister, there will be no oil shortage in Pakistan and the government is continuously monitoring the situation.
Expressing regret over the recent terrorism incident in Dera Ismail Khan, Ali Pervaiz Malik said that the government’s sympathies are with the families of the martyrs. Security forces are conducting operations with full determination against terrorism; the country is facing a new wave of terrorism and it must be countered through unity. He urged all political workers to set aside mutual differences and unite against terrorism. He said that the current regional situation is tense and tension in the region persists due to the US-Iran war.
Referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s speech at the United Nations, the Federal Minister said that the Prime Minister represented the sentiments of the Pakistani people on the war situation and effectively presented Pakistan’s position on regional conditions. He said that the Palestine issue was also strongly highlighted at the global forum.
Ali Pervaiz Malik said that Pakistan must play its role for a permanent ceasefire, and every individual must fulfill their responsibility for the improvement of the country’s system. He said that elements threatening the state will not succeed in their objectives; the protection of the state is the foremost priority and no one will be allowed to attack the state. Urging the opposition to also prioritize the country, the Federal Minister said that political activities can be carried out later as well; in the current difficult circumstances, national interest must come first. He said that the Prime Minister and the government will not back down in difficult times; there is no politics and no other interest greater than Pakistan.
