LAHORE:On the orders of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the subsidy in gasoline prices under the petrol relief scheme was increased to Rs 100 from Rs 50 for the poor on every litre of gasoline, according to Minister of State for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik.Speaking at a press conference in Model Town, he said that the prime minister had given the go-ahead for the implementation of the petrol relief scheme within six weeks, and that under the relief scheme, low-income individuals who own motorcycles, 800cc cars, or other small vehicles would receive assistance to deal with the high cost of fuel.
The government exchequer would not provide any additional subsidies, he claimed, as those with access to fuel or members of the upper class received them under the gasoline relief program.
He said the relief package would continue as the PML-N leadership believed in serving masses, adding that the government announced biggest Ramazan relief package for the deserving people to make them heave a sigh of relief.The minister said that on the directions of the prime minister, similar relief scheme had also been introduced in gas sector from January 1, 2023 through which different rates had been implemented for the poor and those who could afford, in order to provide relief to the poor segment of society. The rich people would pay four times higher bill in gas tariff compared to the poor, he explained.Dr Musadik Malik said the government, despite high inflation in international markets, was making sincere efforts to provide relief to the lower middle class, saying that a mechanism to ensure transparency in petrol relief package would be finalised in six weeks.He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, while sitting in Zaman Park, considered himself above the law and Constitution, as he did not care for any court warrants, police or anything else, adding that former premier violated or resisted the court orders with the help of a violent mob and challenged the state writ. Responding to a question, the minister said the alleged audio leak of former chief justice of Pakistan, in which he was apparently engaged in a conspiracy against PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif, should be investigated and if found real, cases should be registered against the accused.Dr Musadik said that it was for the first time that any government had publicised the record of Toshakhana gifts, adding that the cabinet had also decided that full market value of the gifts would be paid if anyone wanted to take gifts from Toshakhana. APP
