LAHORE: Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik has said that the government is providing significant relief to the public by offering large subsidies on petroleum products.
Speaking to the media in Lahore, he stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a subsidy of over Rs127 per litre on petrol and more than Rs200 per litre on diesel to ease the burden on citizens during difficult economic conditions.
He acknowledged that the country is currently facing serious challenges, including security concerns and environmental risks, which have further complicated the situation. Despite these difficulties, the government has tried to control fuel prices to support the public, especially farmers.
The minister explained that the government has reduced its own expenses to manage the crisis. Measures include grounding official vehicles and restricting foreign and domestic visits of federal ministers and advisers. He added that even the prime minister has cancelled his planned visits in light of the current situation.
To promote austerity, the government has decided that luxury vehicles will only be used for security purposes. Additional taxes have also been imposed on fuel used by high-end vehicles, shifting the financial burden towards wealthier segments of society instead of the poor.
Musadik Malik stressed that these steps are aimed at helping low-income groups and ensuring national stability. He urged citizens to adopt simplicity and work together to help the country overcome its current challenges.
