Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik has said that the levy imposed on petrol and diesel does not fall under his jurisdiction, and questions regarding it should be directed to the relevant authorities.
He made these remarks while speaking to the media in Islamabad, where he discussed various matters related to the energy sector and fuel supply.
The federal minister said that priority is being given to meeting the energy needs for electricity and fertilizer production in the country. He added that electricity demand increases during the summer season, which also leads to higher fuel consumption, requiring additional arrangements.
He further stated that gas supply for fertilizer production is extremely important for the agricultural sector, and the government is trying to ensure a continuous supply of gas to fertilizer industries so that agricultural output is not affected.
Earlier, in a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum, officials of the Petroleum Division gave a detailed briefing on the availability of petroleum products in the country and concerns regarding possible shortages. The meeting was informed that the current petroleum supply system in the country is stable and there is no immediate risk of shortage.
During the meeting, the federal minister clarified that Pakistan has agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to set the petroleum levy on petrol and diesel at up to 80 rupees per litre, and its implementation is necessary to meet financial targets.
The minister also said that the government has a national responsibility to maintain oil reserves, and in this regard, data from all companies will be collected and shared with relevant institutions. He added that certain aspects are also being investigated by the Federal Investigation Agency to ensure transparency in the system.