Islamabad: The Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, assured the National Assembly that there is no shortage of petroleum products in Pakistan, despite the recent decision to increase prices. The increase, he explained, comes as part of a broader strategy to provide targeted subsidies to vulnerable segments of society, following disruptions in global energy supply chains due to the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict.

According to Radio Pakistan, Malik addressed the assembly, emphasizing that Pakistan relies heavily on imports to meet its petroleum demands, sourcing between eighty to ninety percent from abroad. The regional crisis has strained global supply chains, prompting the government to secure alternative routes for petroleum imports. The country is now receiving oil through the Yanbu port in Saudi Arabia and ports in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, ensuring continued supply.

Malik also discussed fertilizer availability, stating that the government is maintaining an uninterrupted gas supply to all ten fertilizer factories nationwide. This effort comes alongside the Prime Minister’s directive to keep fertilizer prices stable at 4,500 rupees per bag.

In terms of economic relief measures, the Minister detailed the government’s initiative to disburse millions of rupees in subsidies through digital wallets to support motorcyclists, passengers, goods transporters, and farmers, aiming to mitigate the impact of price hikes on these groups.