Jhelum: The government is taking practical steps to protect both the country’s economic interests and the people from the impact of global developments, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani said on Thursday. According to Press Information Department, Kayani addressed the media during visits to fuel stations in Jhelum, Dina, and Sohawa, emphasizing that global developments are exerting pressure on Pakistan’s economy, but the government is committed to safeguarding the nation’s economic interests and its citizens.

Kayani highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s fuel relief scheme, designed to provide direct assistance to the public, noting that motorcycle owners receive Rs 500 worth of free petrol weekly. While the government aims to shield citizens from economic shocks, Kayani criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for creating difficulties through planned protests and promoting confrontation.

He expressed concern over the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s approval of the Police Act 2026, describing it as an attempt to politicize the police force. Kayani argued that the changes in the police law could hinder efforts to combat militancy in the province and criticized the PTI for involving state institutions in political endeavors.

Throughout his visits to various petrol stations and registration camps, Kayani inspected the implementation of the fuel relief scheme and assisted citizens with the registration process. He noted that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) established camps to raise awareness and facilitate public registration for subsidized petrol.

Kayani’s visits, which began on September 19, included both urban and rural areas of Jhelum, Sohawa, and Dina. He was accompanied by local PML-N leaders, Jhelum Deputy Commissioner Mir Reza Ozgen, and other district administration and police officials.