Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Targeted fuel subsidy may return if Gulf tensions persist

dawn.com · 11dShare

• Govt stands firm on petroleum pricing deregulation plan • Petroleum minister defends daily pricing, claims ‘transparent’ mechanism protects consumers from price shocks • Senate panel directs Ogra to submit proposal that addresses dealers’ concerns ISLAMABAD: Undeterred by public criticism, the government on Thursday indicated it could reintroduce targeted fuel subsidies within the next few days, with financial support from the provinces, if renewed tensions in the Middle East persisted, and stood firm on its plan to go ahead with petroleum price deregulation. “If this matter [renewed US-Iran attacks] does not end in a few days, we will bring back the targeted subsidy mechanism that we previously used to prevent the price shock from reaching the people,” Petroleum Min­ister Ali Pervaiz Malik said, recalling that the prime minister had initially provided Rs130 billion in fuel subsidies before bringing the provincial governments on board under the targeted subsidy mechanism. He said the

First report: Petroleum minister defends daily fuel pricing as lawmakers question mechanism — tribune.com.pk, 12d