Government officials briefed a Jamaat-e-Islami delegation on Pakistan’s seven-day rolling average fuel pricing system, supply management and targeted subsidies.
ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), led by Liaquat Baloch, was briefed on Pakistan’s fuel pricing mechanism and measures being taken to ensure uninterrupted petroleum supplies during the recent crisis.
The delegation met Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiani at the Petroleum Division. The meeting was confirmed by the Press Information Department.
Senior representatives from the petroleum sector also attended the meeting. Heads of major refineries, including PARCO, PRL and Cnergyico, along with representatives of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), briefed the delegation on operational management and measures to maintain adequate fuel supplies across the country.
Delegation briefed on seven-day fuel pricing system
The JI delegation received a detailed briefing on Pakistan’s petroleum pricing mechanism, including the seven-day rolling average-based pricing system.
Officials also presented a comparative analysis of petroleum prices and fuel supply management in regional countries, while outlining measures taken to maintain fuel availability during the recent crisis.
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government had taken comprehensive measures to protect consumers and ensure uninterrupted fuel availability.
He said Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had also introduced a targeted relief scheme for weaker segments of society.
“Bikers, two and three-wheelers and small cars are being provided targeted subsidy which is higher than the petroleum levy,” the minister said.
Malik stressed that targeted subsidies should replace blanket subsidies so that government assistance reaches consumers who need it most. Radio Pakistan also reported that the JI delegation was briefed on targeted subsidies for motorcycles, Qingqi rickshaws and small cars.
Refinery upgrades to boost local fuel production
The petroleum minister said the government was pursuing the upgradation of Pakistan’s refineries, which would enable the production of Euro-V compliant fuel and reduce furnace oil output.
According to Malik, upgraded refineries would increase domestic production of petrol and diesel, helping reduce Pakistan’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products.
He added that higher domestic refining capacity could also create opportunities for Pakistan to export refined petroleum products in the future.
The Petroleum Division has separately been pursuing refinery-upgrade measures as part of broader petroleum-sector reforms and efforts to strengthen the domestic fuel supply chain.
Government highlights tax and economic reforms
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said providing relief to the people remained a priority of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiani said the government was taking measures to broaden the tax base and promote direct taxation as part of efforts to strengthen the economy and improve revenue collection.
The meeting also covered wider measures related to energy security, consumer protection and the resilience of Pakistan’s petroleum sector.
JI calls for reduction in petroleum levy
The JI delegation welcomed the government’s targeted relief measures for two- and three-wheelers and small cars.
Liaquat Baloch appreciated the relief initiatives but stressed that immediate assistance should be accompanied by permanent and sustainable solutions to underlying issues.
He called for measures including a reduction in the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) to provide further relief to consumers.
The ministers assured the delegation that its recommendations would be shared with the prime minister. Radio Pakistan separately reported that the JI delegation stressed the need for a permanent solution, including a reduction in the petroleum levy.
The meeting comes as Pakistan continues its transition to daily petroleum price announcements, with the underlying pricing calculation based on a seven-day rolling average of international petroleum prices.