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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Musadik Malik has said the Iran-US war has pushed up petroleum prices globally, adding that the government is aware of the difficulties being faced by the common man due to rising fuel prices, ARY News reported.<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking about the Prime Minister\u2019s Fuel Relief Scheme, Musadik Malik said a relief of Rs100 per litre has been provided under the scheme. He said motorcycle users will receive Rs2,000 relief on 20 litres of petrol.<\/p>\n He said the Rs2,000 relief could be considered as the cost of food items such as pulses, bread, eggs and milk for a family. He added that for a delivery rider, the amount could cover a full week\u2019s expenses.<\/p>\n \u201cPetrol that was cheaper earlier has now reached Rs375 per litre,\u201d he said, adding that a person working as a delivery rider is facing difficulties due to the increase.<\/p>\n Musadik Malik said the crisis had emerged as a result of an external war and the Iran-US conflict had affected the entire world. He said oil that was priced at around $55 to $60 per barrel had gone above $100 per barrel.<\/p>\n He said the impact of the war was being felt across the world and people were paying the price for the crisis.<\/p>\n The minister said people driving Qingqi rickshaws would also receive Rs2,000 relief, which could help them pay their children\u2019s school fees.<\/p>\n Giving another example, Musadik Malik said a person named Farooq who travels to a factory in an 800cc car would receive Rs3,000 relief every month. He said the amount would reduce the need for him to borrow money from his brother or neighbour.<\/p>\n He said the government would provide relief to everyone if it had sufficient resources, adding that the country belonged to everyone, including those who owned expensive cars.<\/p>\n Musadik Malik said poor people included those using motorcycles, Qingqi rickshaws and 800cc vehicles, adding that Rs2,000 could cover food and milk expenses for a poor family.<\/p>\n He said the increase in global oil prices had not ended and the relief scheme had not reduced fuel prices. However, he said whatever relief could be provided was the right of the people and the prime minister had decided to provide it.<\/p>\n The federal minister said a large number of poor people live in Pakistan and their relief was the government\u2019s first priority.<\/p>\n He said the scheme had started in Islamabad and would be launched across the country within the next few days. He added that the procedure for registration had already been explained by ministers and was also being broadcast on television from time to time.<\/p>\n Musadik Malik said the government was trying to provide relief to the people like a shield against the impact of rising fuel prices.<\/p>\n Regarding austerity measures, he said the committee would take a final decision, adding that there had so far been no discussion about moving towards a smart lockdown.<\/p>\n He said restaurants and wedding halls were closing at the prescribed time and the federal government would take further austerity measures.<\/p>\n The minister said the government would reduce its expenditure as much as possible. He added that the outlines of the energy policy were still being finalised and its details would be presented before the public once the policy was finalised.<\/p>\n Musadik Malik said the fuel relief being provided to poor people was higher than the amount collected through taxes. He said the decision to provide relief exceeding tax collection had been taken after careful consideration.<\/p>\n He said the current petrol price still did not provide sufficient relief and the burden remained high. The relief, he added, was limited to what the national economy could bear.<\/p>\n Musadik Malik said the government would continue providing relief to the people as long as the economy could sustain the burden.<\/p>\n He said Pakistan was trying to stop the flames of war in the region, adding that an end to the conflict would provide relief to poor people in Pakistan and around the world.<\/p>\n The minister said Pakistan was being described internationally as a guarantor of peace.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n