As the city runs on gasoline, motorcyclists line up outside a petrol pump in Karachi, waiting for their turn amid soaring fuel prices. Photo: Jalal Qureshi / Express
ISLAMABAD:
Federal Minister for Energy, Awais Leghari, has indicated a possible increase in electricity prices following the recent hike in oil rates. According to the minister, consultations are underway to introduce energy saving measures, including revised market schedules.
In a statement published on social media platform
He noted that the government is engaging with provincial authorities to adjust market opening hours and implement other cost-saving measures aimed at reducing overall energy consumption.
Leghari stressed that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was making all possible efforts to protect the public from further financial burden.
“If we all save energy, the pressure on the country will ease and improvements will come,” he said. The development comes a day after the government announced a sharp increase in fuel prices.
The government on Thursday increased the price of petrol by Rs 137 per liter and diesel by Rs 184.49 per liter, taking the new rates to Rs 458.40 and Rs 520.35 per liter, respectively.
The sharp increase sparked strong criticism from the public and opposition parties, with several political groups announcing protests against the decision.
The government maintains, however, that this increase is the result of rising global prices linked to tensions and conflicts in the Middle East, saying the impact is felt worldwide.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, warned that the situation could worsen further if the conflict persists, indicating that additional economic pressures may be inevitable in the coming days.
