LAHORE, Apr 05 (DNA): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that the government is taking, and will continue to take, all possible measures to provide relief to the public during these challenging times.
He expressed these views while chairing a meeting to review progress on the implementation of government subsidies on petroleum products amid recent regional tensions. The meeting was briefed on the progress of subsidy provision, as well as on the country’s fuel reserves and consumption.
The Prime Minister stated that passenger buses are being provided a monthly subsidy of Rs. 100,000, while minibuses and wagons are receiving Rs. 40,000 per month to prevent an increase in fares.
To control the rise in prices of essential food items, trucks are being given Rs. 70,000, large freight vehicles Rs. 80,000, and delivery vans Rs. 35,000 per month as subsidy, he added.
He said that to ensure transparency, these amounts are being disbursed through digital wallets. The Prime Minister directed the immediate release of subsidy funds, which has already begun since yesterday.
Although the subsidy was scheduled to be provided from Monday, it was initiated on Saturday, a public holiday, on his special instructions.
For the provision of this subsidy, all provincial governments have shared details of trucks, buses, and freight vehicles with the federal government. The Government of Balochistan has deposited the allocated amount for the national package, which the Prime Minister termed commendable, while he also thanked Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti.
He expressed hope that other provinces will also deposit their respective shares for the package at the earliest.
The Prime Minister said that a public relief package worth Rs. 129 billion has been provided over the past three weeks, adding that the government cannot leave the public alone in this difficult time.
He further stated that immediate relief was provided by reducing the petroleum levy by Rs. 80 per litre.
Pakistan Railways is providing a subsidy of Rs. 6 billion, due to which there has been no increase in fares of passenger and freight trains. He added that the quarterly 25 percent increase in toll tax has also been withdrawn.
The meeting was informed that sufficient fuel reserves are available in the country to meet national requirements.
A report was also presented by the Intelligence Bureau on the implementation of government austerity and simplicity measures.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Dr. Musadik Malik, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahsan Iqbal, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, special assistants Talha Burki and Tariq Bajwa, DG IB, and other senior officials.
