ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced a major relief package for the masses, slashing the price of petrol by Rs 80 per liter, bringing it down to Rs 378 per liter from Rs 458 and targeted subsidies for the bikers, cargo vehicles as well as the passenger buses.
In a televised address to the nation, the prime minister said that the new reduced petrol price will remain unchanged for the next one month and will be made possible by curtailing the petrol levy by Rs 80.
He said the federal and provincial governments would work together to mobilize maximum resources to support the public amid economic challenges, particularly those arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
He also announced a targeted subsidies for the transport sector, including Rs 100 per liter for motorbike owners and goods and public transport vehicles. Rs 70,000 per month subsidy will be given for small trucks, Rs 80,000 for larger trucks and Rs 100,000 for passenger buses.
Additionally, as a gesture of austerity and solidarity with the public, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that all federal cabinet members will surrender their salaries for the next six months -to help generate funds for public relief measures.
The Prime Minister said the country was facing difficult circumstances as the war was going on in the Gulf and due to this, the prices of oil have skyrocketed all over the world.
“The immense increase in the prices of oil has also affected Pakistan and livelihoods of poor people were affected more than others. Greater difficulties have arisen for the farmer and new challenges are emerging for the common man,” he noted.
He said, “Today, the price of oil has increased dramatically in the world markets and inflation has broken the backs of even the powerful states of the world. In the last three weeks, the prices of oil have increased every day.”
He said he knew how the common man was striving hard to make ends meet and earn bread for his family and children.
Prime Minister Shehbaz mentioned that the government had already spent Rs 129 billion to shield people from the effects of high oil prices.
He assured that as soon as possible the government would provide considerable relief to the people.
He pointed out that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had been working day and night to help restore peace in the region with utmost sincerity since the war broke out.
The prime minister said the government made the decision about fuel prices after extensive national consultation.
He expressed gratitude to President of Pakistan who guided the entire national leadership.
“Chief Ministers of all four provinces, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, myself, the Field Marshal and others were present for the consultation. Another consultation was held at the Prime Minister’s House where the Chief Ministers of all four provinces were present besides leadership of Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan,” he elaborated.
He said he decided not to increase the fares for economy class passengers of Railways.
“I have issued clear instructions to the Ministry of Railways.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked the provincial chief ministers Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Murad Ali Shah, Sohail Afridi and Mir Sarfraz Bugti, who made a commitment to provide their resources for the national cause.
He said all the announcements that have been made will also apply to Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, for which the federal government will gladly provide the resources.
The government would not sit idle until the situation returns to normal and would continue its work for progress, prosperity, poverty eradication and the development of Pakistan, he concluded.