LAHORE: Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik has said the government is taking advance measures to ensure uninterrupted supplies of crude oil, petrol, diesel, gas and LPG amid the evolving international energy situation.
Speaking at a public gathering in his constituency Mughalpura and later talking to the media, the minister said a summary had been submitted to the federal cabinet to facilitate the import of LPG from international markets so that consumers could be protected from shortages in an emergency.
He said comprehensive arrangements were being made to meet the country’s gas requirements during the winter months of December, January and February. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal cabinet had already been briefed on gas demand, availability and potential challenges, he added.
Regarding LPG prices, Malik said the rates were determined by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), with Saudi Aramco’s monthly Contract Price (CP) serving as a key component of the pricing mechanism. He said the government was taking steps to ensure adequate LPG supplies during winter when demand typically rises.
The minister said providing relief to consumers remained the government’s top priority and that all necessary measures were being taken to maintain uninterrupted gas supplies. He said more than nine million people had benefited from the government’s Rs100-per-litre relief scheme for eligible consumers.
He assured consumers that any decline in international oil prices would be passed on to them without delay. The government, he said, fully understood the difficulties caused by rising petroleum prices and had not imposed any additional burden beyond the impact of higher international oil prices.
Malik said petroleum prices were being determined through a transparent mechanism, with relevant details available on the OGRA website to explain how domestic prices were linked to international market fluctuations.
Under directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government has introduced targeted relief for low-income consumers, including motorcyclists and users of vehicles up to 800cc. Motorcyclists are receiving relief of Rs100 per litre, benefiting around nine million people, he said.
The minister added that the relief programme would continue within available resources and remain in place as long as it was financially sustainable.
On the regional security situation, Malik said the country and the wider region were facing serious challenges, while the resurgence of terrorist activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a matter of concern. He called for national unity and urged political leaders, particularly the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to prioritise national security.
He said political differences could be addressed later, but the security and sovereignty of the country could not be compromised. The nation, he added, must stand united with the military leadership in confronting terrorism and protecting Pakistan’s borders.
Discussing regional tensions, Malik said Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders were continuing efforts to promote peace and reduce tensions. He expressed hope that these diplomatic efforts would lead to a lasting ceasefire, stressing that regional disputes could only be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means.
The minister condemned attacks on oil installations near Riyadh and disruptions to maritime routes near Bab-el-Mandeb, saying Pakistan remained deeply concerned about developments affecting regional stability and energy security.
Referring to the Makkah agreement involving Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, Malik said Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia and cooperate with its brotherly country alongside Türkiye. He acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s support in ensuring oil supplies to Pakistan during difficult periods and said Islamabad remained grateful for the assistance.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had tasked him with travelling to Riyadh to meet the Saudi energy minister and convey Pakistan’s appreciation for Saudi cooperation during the current challenging situation.
Malik emphasised that advance planning for international oil prices and the availability of crude oil, petrol, diesel, gas and LPG was essential to protect consumers from potential shortages and inflationary pressures. The government, he said, was taking decisions ahead of time to minimise the impact of the global energy crisis and ensure adequate fuel availability.
The minister also appreciated Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz workers and local leaders for conveying the concerns of the people to the party leadership. He said party workers would be given their due role when the political process became more active ahead of the local government elections.
He reiterated that the government, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, would continue efforts to ease public hardships, strengthen energy security, protect national interests and contribute towards a lasting end to regional instability.
Story by Safdar Rasheed
