PM directs petroleum minister to go to Karachi, negotiate diesel price cut with local oil refineries
Says to provide immediate relief to the public to the maximum extent possible
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik to travel to Karachi urgently and negotiate with local oil refineries to alleviate fuel costs for consumers, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. During a meeting with Malik, the prime minister emphasized the need to "immediately reach Karachi" and engage with the refineries.
Malik was directed to take immediate steps to reduce the prices of domestically produced diesel. The directive came as Pakistan grapples with rising petrol and high-speed diesel prices, following consecutive increases and a deferred nationwide transporters' strike. The government raised petrol and high-speed diesel prices by Rs3.34 and Rs5.27 per liter, respectively, on August 19, bringing their prices to Rs334.54 and Rs395.69.
Prior increases of Rs5.77 and Rs6.47 per liter occurred on two earlier days. The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance had postponed a nine-day nationwide strike by 40 days after discussions with the federal and provincial governments, with fuel pricing being a primary concern. The Supreme Court had previously granted a stay on the government's decision to raise fuel prices.
Written by urgent.news from The Express Tribune - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
