Finance Minister calls on Chief Minister Punjab

ISLAMABAD, Mar 8 (APP):Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb along with Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik Sunday called on Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif and reviewed the supply, demand and reserves of petroleum products in the province amid the emerging regional situation.

The meeting discussed the situation arising due to the ongoing war and reviewed arrangements to maintain balance in the demand and supply of petroleum products across Punjab, said a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance.

The Chief Minister stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted supply of diesel for agricultural use and directed the authorities concerned to strictly monitor petroleum reserves.The meeting agreed on adopting a fuel conservation policy to maintain balance between supply and demand in view of the evolving situation.

Maryam Nawaz also directed a strict crackdown against hoarding of petroleum products and ordered district administrations to continuously monitor supply in all districts. She further directed the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) and the Transport Department to closely monitor the situation and take necessary action.

The Chief Minister directed that citizens should not face long queues at petrol pumps and made it clear that no one would be allowed to sell petroleum products at rates higher than the officially fixed prices anywhere in the province.

During the meeting, officials briefed participants on reserves of petrol, diesel, LNG and other petroleum products.

The briefing highlighted that immediate steps were necessary to promote fuel conservation and efficiency in view of the global crisis.

Maryam Nawaz said the entire nation would have to demonstrate resilience to overcome the challenge, adding that timely decisions were essential to ensure economic stability.