PM Shebaz asks petroleum minister to travel to Karachi over fuel prices

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed Minister of Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik on Wednesday to immediately reach Karachi and take urgent measures for public relief regarding fuel prices.

As per a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the development came during a meeting between PM Shehbaz and the petroleum minister, in which Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister of Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister of Climate Change Musadik Malik, and Member of National Assembly Hamza Shehbaz were also present.

The PM said that the petroleum minister should go to Karachi and ensure measures to reduce the prices of locally produced diesel.

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“The major portion of diesel quantity is produced in local refineries; for the reduction in its prices, the minister should personally complete negotiations with the refineries at the earliest. As much as possible, immediate relief should be provided to the public,” the PMO quoted the premier as saying.

Recently, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) staged citywide protests against the huge petroleum levy and frequent increases in fuel oil prices, blocking Shahrah-e-Faisal and other roads.

On Tuesday, the Petroleum Division announced upward revisions in ex-depot fuel prices, effective from August 19.

The rate of petrol has been increased by Rs3.34 per litre, rising from Rs331.20 to Rs334.54 per litre. Meanwhile, the High-Speed Diesel (HSD) has also been increased by Rs5.27 per litre, rising from Rs390.42 to Rs395.69 per litre.

The Petroleum Levy (PL) was raised on HSD to Rs78.28, while on petrol the levy remained unchanged at Rs80 per litre.