Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the government’s fuel subsidy program will continue until at least the end of December, with spending reaching approximately Rs. 28 billion so far.
The initiative has directly benefited around 15 million people, while the total number of beneficiaries is estimated at 75 million when their family members are included.
Government to Shield Consumers From Higher Fuel Prices
The announcement comes amid rising international crude oil prices, which had threatened to push domestic petrol prices higher. Shehbaz credited Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, his team, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), and the relevant committee for approaching refineries to share their windfall profits.
The arrangement was intended to prevent a proposed Rs. 15 per liter increase in petrol prices from being passed on to consumers.
The prime minister said the subsidy program was operating transparently overall, but intelligence agencies had identified irregularities at several petrol pumps. He directed the petroleum minister to close the outlets involved and impose heavy financial penalties on those responsible.
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