LAHORE: Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik announced on Sunday that the government is prepared to maintain its petrol subsidy program for as long as necessary, potentially up to 10 months, to ease the financial burden on the public.
Speaking to the media in Lahore, Malik emphasized the government’s awareness of the hardships faced by citizens and assured that any reduction in international oil prices would be passed on directly to consumers. He revealed that the subsidy scheme currently costs the government between Rs35 billion and Rs40 billion monthly.
Introduced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the subsidy offers relief of up to Rs100 per litre on petrol and has already seen over six million registrations. Malik highlighted that Pakistan has more than 25 million motorcycles, many of which are around two decades old, and stressed the government’s commitment to sustaining the subsidy for as long as needed, even until the end of the ongoing war, to shield the public from its effects.
The minister expressed gratitude towards petrol station owners for implementing the subsidy without imposing extra charges on consumers. He also criticized the previous administration for announcing relief measures without proper groundwork, which he said nearly pushed the country toward default.
Addressing comments he made last week about petrol prices potentially reaching Rs1,000 per litre, Malik clarified that his remarks were misunderstood. He explained that such a price surge would only occur if there was a petrol shortage, which the government is actively working to prevent through prudent decisions by the prime minister.
Regarding the subsidy registration process, Malik outlined that eligible applicants can register by sending an SMS to 9771 in the format: “REG” followed by their CNIC number, vehicle number plate, the first letter of the province of registration, and the vehicle registration date. The scheme targets owners of motorcycles, rickshaws, and vehicles with engines up to 800cc. Registration messages are free of charge, as directed by the prime minister, and further details are available on the government’s dedicated fuel-relief website.
In a separate statement, Malik condemned the recent terrorist attack in Dera Ismail Khan, extending condolences to the victims’ families. He urged political parties to set aside differences and unite against the rising wave of terrorism, praising the security forces for their courageous efforts against militants.
Commenting on regional affairs, Malik noted ongoing tensions, particularly the conflict between the United States and Iran. He commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting its effective representation of Pakistan’s stance on regional issues and the Palestinian cause.
Malik called for a permanent ceasefire and encouraged all stakeholders to contribute towards strengthening the country’s systems and addressing its challenges. He reaffirmed that those attempting to destabilize the state would not succeed, emphasizing that safeguarding the nation remains the government’s highest priority.
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