PM Shehbaz says Rs160bn development and security package set for KP

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the government has finalised a development and security package worth Rs160 billion for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was chairing a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, according to Minute Mirror.

He said peace and stability in the province remain a top priority for the federal government. Minute Mirror reported that he reaffirmed the government's commitment to eliminating terrorism from the province through coordinated efforts of the armed forces, the provincial government and the federal administration. The Express Tribune reported that a large number of terrorists were killed in recent counter-terrorism operations in the province, and that the prime minister acknowledged Balochistan had faced terrorism for a considerable period.

On fuel prices, the prime minister said international oil and energy prices rose sharply because of regional instability. Petrol was expected to become Rs15 per litre more expensive last Friday, but refineries agreed to share their windfall profits instead of passing the whole increase to consumers. He said the additional burden of Rs15 per litre should not be imposed on ordinary people.

The fuel subsidy programme will continue at least until the end of December, the Express Tribune reported. About 15 million people used subsidy tokens, and the programme indirectly benefited about 75 million people, assuming households of five to six members. About Rs28 billion was spent on it.

The Intelligence Bureau monitored the programme and found irregularities at some petrol pumps. The prime minister directed the petroleum minister to take strict action against those involved, including closing the pumps and imposing heavy penalties.

The government also introduced a new mechanism for LPG imports and distribution to ensure competition and transparency. Pakistan needs about 7,000 tonnes of LPG a day, while domestic production is about 2,500 tonnes. Locally produced LPG will be auctioned in lots of five and 10 tonnes under camera surveillance, with the first auction expected next week. Imports will be allowed competitively, and companies will show LPG prices and costs on their websites. Profits will go to the treasury and be used to subsidise LPG for ordinary consumers.

On regional diplomacy, the prime minister said Pakistani delegations visited Tehran twice in the past two to three weeks. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited, followed by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. He said Pakistan continues to work to ease regional tensions. The government also said it would try to keep LNG, LPG and other energy supplies uninterrupted in winter.