Government reviews energy requirements every two to three days, ends LPG allocation monopoly and extends Rs28 billion fuel subsidy programme until December.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the government was taking all-out measures to ensure uninterrupted supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and oil during the upcoming winter season amid rising international prices and challenges affecting maritime routes.
Chairing a federal cabinet meeting, the prime minister said the government was holding review meetings every two to three days to assess energy requirements and finalise contingency and coordination plans.
He said all possible efforts would be made to keep power plants operational while minimising the impact of higher international energy prices on consumers.
The prime minister also announced the end of the decades-old monopoly in the LPG sector, saying the government had introduced a competitive and transparent allocation mechanism.
Under the new arrangement, locally produced LPG would be offered through supervised competitive auctions, while importers would also have to follow prescribed procedures. Revenue generated through the auctions would go to the national exchequer and subsequently support subsidies and public relief measures.
Referring to rising international crude oil prices, Shehbaz appreciated Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and relevant officials for approaching refineries to share their windfall profits.
The move helped avoid passing on a proposed Rs15 per litre increase in petrol prices to consumers.
He said the government’s fuel subsidy programme, which had benefited around 15 million people, would continue at least until the end of December. Approximately Rs28 billion had been disbursed under the initiative, with an estimated 75 million people benefiting when recipients’ families were included.
However, the prime minister said intelligence agencies had identified irregularities at some petrol pumps. He directed the petroleum minister to ensure their closure and impose heavy financial penalties on those responsible.
Shehbaz attributed rising international crude oil prices to regional instability and highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements with Iran, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to promote regional peace and cooperation.
On security, he said the government had finalised a comprehensive Rs160 billion development and security package for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism, acknowledging the sacrifices of security forces and the suffering of people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.