Ahsan Iqbal says Hormuz closure hits oil supply, fuel relief scheme may be widened

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that rising tension in the region and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are affecting the global supply of oil. He said this is causing difficulties for the economies of several countries.

He said the government is trying to give the people maximum relief within available resources. Millions of people are benefiting from Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s fuel relief scheme.

Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah also said at a news conference that the government is making serious efforts to give relief to the common man. According to him, in view of the situation in the region, all political parties should strengthen the efforts of Pakistan’s political and military leadership.

Committee and proposals

Ahsan Iqbal said consultations are under way with Jamaat-e-Islami to give the people further relief. A committee with members from both sides has been formed, and it will finalise workable proposals. A Jamaat-e-Islami delegation has presented its proposals to the government on providing relief to the people.

He said the committee will prepare concrete proposals through mutual consultation, and the possibilities of further relief for the people will be examined in their light. He indicated that widening the scope of the Prime Minister’s fuel relief scheme will also be considered. However, he said, national resources and economic conditions will have to be kept in view for any step.

According to him, a sustainable path will have to be adopted to give relief to the people, one that can last for a long time. This, he said, would help deal with the present difficulties and also ensure the stability of the national economy.

Peace and economic stability

Ahsan Iqbal said the whole world is going through an emergency situation. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is affecting the transport of oil. This is having an impact on global energy markets, and prices of petroleum products have risen in several countries.

According to him, in such extraordinary circumstances it is necessary to deal with the situation with wisdom, responsibility and foresight. Pakistan is playing a diplomatic role to end tension and establish peace in the region. It wants the tension to end so that the way is paved for a fall in oil prices.

Ahsan Iqbal said that in the present situation, maintaining Law and Order is the shared responsibility of all sections of society. In view of the economic challenges, he said, steps for national stability and economic improvement should be given priority over protests and unrest. He said that holding unrest and demonstrations cannot achieve the aim of stabilising the national economy.

He said political forces and other concerned circles should show responsibility and promote an atmosphere in which the government can focus on solving public problems and dealing with economic difficulties.

Rana Sanaullah said Jamaat-e-Islami also holds the view that the common man should get relief, and the government values this spirit. He claimed that the Zionist agenda has failed because of the efforts of Pakistan’s political and military leadership, and that Pakistan’s efforts for peace in the region are being recognised internationally.

At the news conference, both leaders expressed their resolve that the government will provide relief to the people according to available resources. They said consultations on Jamaat-e-Islami’s proposals will move forward, and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for peace in the region will continue.