Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the government’s fuel subsidy program will continue until at least the end of December. The initiative has reached a spending level of approximately Rs. 28 billion so far.
According to the Prime Minister, the program has directly benefited around 15 million people, with the total number of beneficiaries estimated at 75 million when including their family members. The government implemented the subsidy to protect consumers from higher fuel prices caused by rising international crude oil prices.
Shehbaz Sharif credited Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Malik's team, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), and a relevant committee for contacting refineries to share their windfall profits. This arrangement was intended to prevent a proposed Rs. 15 per liter increase in petrol prices from being passed on to consumers.
While the Prime Minister stated that the subsidy program is operating transparently overall, he noted that intelligence agencies have identified irregularities at several petrol pumps. He has directed Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik to close the outlets involved and impose heavy financial penalties on those responsible.
