Govt Ensuring Uninterrupted Fuel Supply Despite Global Price Hike: Ali Pervaiz
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik on Sunday stated that the government is exerting utmost efforts to maintain uninterrupted fuel supplies to the public despite significant challenges and a sharp increase in international oil prices.
According to a spokesperson, while addressing the media, the minister highlighted recent Houthi attacks which have disrupted global oil supplies, pushing Dubai crude to $118.40 per barrel and causing historic highs in diesel prices.
Malik emphasized that under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's leadership, the federal government is managing fuel availability responsibly, making decisions regarding fuel pricing after careful consideration to protect the common man and safeguard state interests.
He revealed that Rs 30–40 billion have been allocated for vulnerable segments, and Rs 180 million were released in a single day to petrol pumps under the relief mechanism. Payments have been distributed across 7,400 petrol pumps nationwide, benefiting over two million registered citizens.
Regarding winter energy demands, the minister assured careful management of LNG availability to prevent shortages.
On political matters, Malik urged the Jamaat-e-Islami leadership to maintain peaceful protests, adding that any attempt to march on Islamabad would not be tolerated. He advised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister to focus on administrative duties rather than criticizing the federal administration.
Commenting on provincial creation, he maintained that decisions regarding administrative restructuring or local body elections should be debated and made in Parliament for the nation's best interests.
The minister concluded by offering prayers for the success of civil-military leadership, including Field Marshal Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in their ongoing peace and diplomatic endeavors.