Gujranwala: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced that 12 million people have benefited from the government’s fuel subsidy scheme, reflecting a significant effort to provide relief during challenging economic conditions. Speaking in Gujranwala, he addressed the public while expressing condolences for the passing of Mahmood Bashir Virk, a former Member of the National Assembly and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister emphasized that the subsidy scheme was part of the government’s broader commitment to support the populace despite ongoing economic difficulties exacerbated by instability in the Gulf region. Additionally, he addressed the recent imposition of Governor’s Rule and Emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which he attributed to the provincial government’s inadequate cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.

The Prime Minister criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for prioritizing protests over national stability and noted that the federal government had made concerted efforts to engage in dialogue with the PTI to prevent the need for such drastic measures. He reiterated the government’s readiness to collaborate with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration to address security concerns effectively.