It says the government is not responsible for the increase and has introduced targeted subsidies to support vulnerable groups.
Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs. SCREEN CAPTURE
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Friday defended the recent rise in oil prices, saying the government had made sustained efforts to protect the public from the impact and had introduced targeted subsidies to ease the burden on vulnerable groups.
The government on Thursday further increased the price of petrol by Rs 137 per liter to the highest-ever level of Rs 458.4 after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decided to impose more taxes on consumers. The government also increased the price of high-speed diesel to Pakistan’s highest level of Rs 520.35 per liter, an increase of Rs 185 per liter or 55%.
Read: Government increases petrol tax to Rs 161 per liter and sets new price at Rs 458 per liter
In a video statement, Sanaullah said the world was facing an unprecedented rise in global oil prices, which had affected Pakistan in the same way as other nations. “Given this situation, the prices of gasoline and diesel increased,” he stated.
He noted that the government had delayed the transfer of the increase to consumers for three weeks by adopting austerity measures and using financial resources.
“At first austerity measures were implemented, after which the prime minister created a fund. Around Rs 129 billion of this fund was spent, allowing the government to keep prices stable for three weeks,” he added.
However, he stated, such measures cannot be maintained indefinitely. He revealed that extensive consultations were held with chief ministers of all provinces as well as leaders of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, along with political, administrative and military leaders, to find ways to minimize the impact on the public. Following these deliberations, the government decided to introduce specific subsidies.
Sanaullah said motorcycle users had been identified as one of the most vulnerable groups, while farmers would receive Rs 1,500 per acre to help them during the upcoming harvest season.
He added that freight operators would receive subsidies ranging between Rs 70,000 and Rs 80,000 a month, depending on capacity, to avoid fare increases. Similarly, passenger bus operators would receive Rs 100,000 per month to keep ticket prices stable.
Defending the price increase, the adviser said the government was not responsible for the increase but attributed it to the ongoing war, which had driven up global fuel prices. “Everyone knows who started the war and why,” he said.
Referring to concerns over fuel shortage, he said Pakistan had managed to avoid any disruption in supply thanks to the prime minister’s continuous efforts, contrasting the situation with that of other countries.
Read also: Gasoline price hike sparks protests in NA, JI announces nationwide measures
Sanaullah criticized elements calling for anti-government protests, saying they were ignoring his efforts and trying to incite the public for political purposes. “The government has tried to keep prices low and reduce the burden on the poor. It is also fighting to end the conflict,” he said, adding that protests should rather be directed at those responsible for the war.
He warned that if the conflict continued for another two to four months, the situation could worsen globally, not just in Pakistan. “We must face these challenges together and avoid internal divisions,” he said.
Urging restraint, he advised citizens to remain vigilant against those attempting to exploit the situation for personal or political gain.
“This is not a crisis that we created,” he said. “We are among those working to solve it and promote public welfare. As a determined and united nation, we too will overcome this challenge.”
