Musadik Malik terms news about increase in gas prices as baseless

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - Federal Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik has termed the news about an increase in the gas prices as baseless.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, he said that no change has been made in the prices of gas. "The same gas price is applicable which was a few weeks and months ago. There is a proposal to keep the gas price low for the domestic consumers," he added.

APP adds: 

Musadik Malik said that the government had devised a broader framework, under which 50 per cent of the country’s total population, comprising the poorest of the poorest people, would be saved from the gas price hike. The framework would be got approved by the federal cabinet in due course of time.

Before leaving the government, he said, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) made legislation under which the federal government had no authority to change the gas price determined by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).

He said the government was working out for the last two-three weeks how the gas consumers could be given relief as OGRA had informed it about the new rate which was far high as compared to the last year.

He said that the government would devise an effective strategy in collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure peaceful observance of Ashura during the Muharramul Haram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.

“In the coming days, a system/committee will be formed that will sit with Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, and strategy will be finalized to ensure foolproof security of Muharram processions and religious place, extending all possible facilities in this regard,” he said, while addressing a news conference along with leaders of Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafaria (TNFJ).

He assured the TNFJ leaders that all their negotiations held with the Interior minister would be moved forward and “will standby with its spirit.”

The minister also thanked the TNFJ leaders for extending support to the PML-N candidates in the Punjab Assembly by-polls scheduled on July 17.