LAHORE: Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has warned that petrol prices could reach Rs1,000 per litre if the country faces a fuel shortage.
However, the minister said Pakistan currently has sufficient petrol supplies.
Speaking to reporters in Lahore, Malik said global oil prices had increased by around 80 percent. He said petrol prices in Pakistan had risen by about 50 percent.
Malik said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken measures to limit the impact of rising international oil prices on consumers.
“Currently, there is no petrol shortage in the country,” Malik said. “If a shortage develops, the price could rise to Rs1,000 per litre.”
Government plans to avoid winter gas shortage
The petroleum minister also said the government would take steps to prevent a gas shortage during the winter.
He said Pakistan could increase gas imports if necessary. According to Malik, the government could spend up to $100 million on gas imports to ensure adequate supplies.
Malik also said Rs180 million worth of fuel-related tokens were issued in a single day.
Oil exploration underway
The minister said work had started on oil wells and that Pakistan could discover new oil reserves by October.
He did not provide further details about the expected discoveries or their potential production capacity.
Minister responds to political protests
Malik also criticised the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) over its protests against fuel prices. He urged the party to avoid using public difficulties for political purposes.
He said the government had already briefed a JI delegation about the challenges it was facing.
Commenting on political tensions, Malik said he would ask Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters not to put other people’s children at risk during political protests.
He also said the government would not allow anyone to march on Islamabad in a way that could threaten public order.
Asked about the reported detention of Aleema Khan, Malik said he was not aware of the matter.
He added that parliament would discuss issues related to the local government system and the creation of new administrative units.
