PM Shehbaz Slashes Fuel Prices Ahead of Crucial Diplomacy
News Desk
Islamabad: As Islamabad prepares to host critical global negotiations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered a major dose of economic relief at home, announcing a sharp cut in fuel prices just a day before the high-profile diplomatic engagement.
In a televised address on Friday, the premier unveiled significant reductions, bringing petrol down by nearly Rs12 per litre and diesel by a striking Rs135, linking the move to easing global oil prices.
The revised rates, effective April 11, place petrol at Rs366.58 and diesel at Rs385.54 per litre, according to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division.
The relief extends beyond petrol and diesel. Kerosene prices have been lowered by Rs17.33 per litre, while light diesel oil has seen a reduction of over Rs25, moves expected to ripple across transport and agricultural costs.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/security-tensions-high-as-us-iran-talks-open-in-islamabad/
But the announcement carried more than just economic significance.
Sharif revealed that he had turned down a proposal to redirect the financial relief toward government spending, instead opting to pass the full benefit directly to citizens.
The decision, he said, aligns with his administration’s focus on easing pressure on farmers and curbing input costs at a time when agricultural productivity remains under strain.
The prime minister also highlighted that Rs129 billion has already been deployed to contain inflation, underscoring the government’s balancing act between fiscal constraints and public relief. Subsidies on motorcycles and transport, he added, will continue as part of broader affordability measures.
The timing of the announcement is notable. It comes as Pakistan steps into the global spotlight, hosting sensitive talks between the United States and Iran following a fragile ceasefire.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/khamenei-signals-peace-but-warns-aggressors-will-pay/
Opening his address with a diplomatic update, Sharif said the Gulf region was transitioning from conflict to dialogue, crediting Pakistan’s mediation for bringing both sides to the negotiating table in Islamabad.
He also acknowledged the role of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and military leadership, including Asim Munir, in facilitating the breakthrough.
With fuel prices falling and diplomacy rising, the government appears to be sending a dual message, relief at home, relevance abroad.
