Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. SCREEN CAPTURE
LAHORE:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday urged provincial governments to provide their respective shares for the subsidy package as soon as possible, expressing hope that all federating units would support the national relief effort.
He made the remarks while chairing a meeting to review progress in implementing subsidies for petroleum products amid the current crisis caused by a war raging in the Gulf.
The Prime Minister said the government is taking and will continue to take all possible measures to provide relief to the public during these difficult times. The meeting reported on the progress of the provision of subsidies, as well as the country’s fuel reserves and consumption.
He said passenger buses receive a monthly subsidy of Rs 100,000, while minibuses and wagons receive Rs 40,000 per month to avoid an increase in fares.
To check the rising prices of essential food items, each truck receives Rs 70,000 per month, each large cargo vehicle Rs 80,000 and each delivery van Rs 35,000 per month as subsidy, he added.
The Prime Minister said that to ensure transparency, these amounts are being disbursed through digital wallets. He ordered the immediate release of grant funds, which began Saturday, even though the grant was originally scheduled for Monday.
For this subsidy, all provincial governments have shared details of trucks, buses and cargo vehicles with the federal government.
He pointed out that the Government of Balochistan has already deposited the amount allocated for the national package, terming the move as commendable, and thanked Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti.
The prime minister said that a public relief package worth Rs 129 billion has been provided in the last three weeks, adding that the government cannot leave the public alone in this difficult time. He further stated that immediate relief was provided by reducing the petroleum tax by Rs 80 per litre.
Pakistan Railways is offering a subsidy of Rs 6,000 million, so there has been no increase in fares of passenger and freight trains, he added. He also noted that the 25% quarterly increase in toll tax has been withdrawn.
Attendees were informed that there are sufficient fuel reserves in the country to meet national needs. The Intelligence Office presented a report on the implementation of government austerity and simplicity measures.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday announced that the government has managed to freeze fares across the province after successful negotiations with transporters.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government on Sunday also launched the Ehsaas Fuel Support Programme, under which motorcycle, scooter and rickshaw owners will receive Rs 2,000.
“A sum of Rs 2,000 will be provided to owners of motorcycles, scooters and rickshaws under the Ehsaas Shafi Jan.
