‘Teach them a lesson’: PM Shehbaz orders strict action against pumps defying fuel subsidy scheme

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to take strict action against petrol pumps involved in irregularities in the fuel subsidy scheme and those refusing to cooperate with the government. He warned that such petrol pumps should be taught a lesson.

He also declared that the era of the LPG mafia was over, announcing that the government would import LPG and provide subsidies to the public.

Addressing a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, the prime minister said Pakistan was also being affected by the evolving regional situation. However, he stressed that the country was continuing its sincere efforts to promote global peace and stability.

He said Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had visited Iran, while a meeting involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was also held in Tehran, where discussions took place in a highly cordial and positive atmosphere.

The prime minister noted that oil prices were continuously rising across the world. However, he said the government had prevented the burden of rising energy prices from falling on ordinary citizens. He added that the impact of a Rs15 per litre increase in petrol prices had also not been passed on to the public.

He said the petroleum minister and his team had held important discussions with refineries, while a fuel subsidy scheme had been launched to provide relief to the public. According to the prime minister, around 15 million people had directly benefited from the scheme.

Shehbaz Sharif said strict action would be taken against petrol pumps refusing to cooperate with the subsidy programme. He directed the petroleum minister to take firm measures against such outlets, warning that they would be taught a lesson.

He said petroleum-related arrangements were being managed through state-owned entities, including Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Pakistan Refinery Limited (PARCO), while a mechanism had also been developed to ensure LPG supplies.

The prime minister declared that the era of the LPG mafia was over, adding that the government would import LPG and provide subsidies to consumers.