Petrol price to remain unchanged for next 15 days
Listen to article
The federal government has decided to maintain current petroleum product prices for the next 15 days, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday.
As per the official statement, the price of petrol will remain at Rs254.63 per litre, while high-speed diesel (HSD) will continue to be sold at Rs258.64 per litre.
Earlier, during a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the cabinet approved an amendment to the Petroleum Products (Petroleum Levy) Ordinance, 1961, on the recommendation of the Petroleum Division.
PM Shehbaz noted that although global oil prices have declined, the benefit will not be passed on to consumers. Instead, the government will utilise the savings for development initiatives in Balochistan.
He announced that the province's most critical national highway would be upgraded to meet motorway standards and dualised to improve connectivity and infrastructure in the region.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's crypto chief meets New York City mayor, pushes for global blockchain cooperation
In a high-profile meeting at Gracie Mansion, New York City Mayor Eric Adams extended a symbolic gesture of camaraderie to Pakistan by telling Bilal Bin Saqib, Pakistan's Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain, 'We consider New York to be Lahore.' The remark, made during an official diplomatic engagement, highlighted the growing ties between the two emerging hubs of digital finance and innovation. The meeting marked a key step toward building direct collaboration between the New York Crypto Council and the Pakistan Crypto Council—two government-backed bodies committed to shaping the future of Web3, read a statement released by the Ministry of Finance on Friday. Both New York City and Pakistan have taken bold steps by establishing dedicated crypto councils to support the responsible growth of the digital economy. During the meeting, Mayor Adams and SAPM Saqib explored opportunities to co-develop knowledge-sharing initiatives, capacity-building programs, and strategic advisory efforts to foster innovation while ensuring regulatory compliance. The two leaders also discussed shared challenges and approaches to growing the digital asset economy in diverse, high-potential markets, read the statement. The meeting marked the final stop on Saqib's official US tour focused on blockchain innovation, public-private partnerships, and advancing global crypto collaboration. Earlier, Saqib met with the Executive Director of President Trump's Council on Digital Assets, Robert 'Bo' Hines, at the White House. During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in the field of digital assets. Key areas of discussion included Bitcoin, future partnerships, and potential collaboration in the evolving global digital economy. They also discussed strategic alignment on digital assets, Bitcoin integration and the future of decentralised infrastructure. A major topic of the meeting was Pakistan's recently announced strategic Bitcoin reserves, which were explored in detail as a step toward strengthening the country's position in the digital finance space.
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Dar-led body to oversee funding strategies for dams
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday termed India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) as "a blatant violation and act of water aggression" and warned that Pakistan will give a befitting response under the decisions taken in the April 24 National Security Committee (NSC) meeting. Chairing a high-level meeting on water resources at the Prime Minister's House, he vowed that, just as Pakistan achieved victory in the recent war, it would also triumph on the water front. Emphasising the urgency of enhancing water storage, PM Shehbaz Sharif ordered the establishment of a high-powered committee under Deputy PM Ishaq Dar to oversee funding strategies for new dam projects. The committee will include all provincial chief ministers, the Prime Minister of AJK, and relevant federal ministers, and is directed to submit its recommendations within 72 hours. "We will prioritize the construction of non-controversial reservoirs. Wherever there is unanimity, we must act without delay. These dams are not political - they are a national necessity," the Prime Minister said. He made it clear that any project with cross-provincial consensus will be fast-tracked and completed on a priority basis. A detailed briefing was given during the meeting on Pakistan's water infrastructure. Officials informed the participants that the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha dam is underway and expected to be completed by 2032, while the Mohmand dam is likely to be completed by 2027. Currently, Pakistan has 11 dams with a total storage capacity of 15.318 million acre-feet. Under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), 32 small and large dams are under construction, while 79 projects are underway under annual development programs. "This is a battle of justice, and like every battle we have fought with unity, we will defeat India's water aggression with resolve and wisdom," said the prime minister. He emphasised that living nations confront challenges head-on and make strategic, lasting decisions to protect their future generations. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the Indian threats to weaponise water by attempting to violate the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty are increasing each day. He highlighted that the treaty, a binding international agreement, does not allow any party to unilaterally withdraw, and India's claims are politically and legally hollow. All provincial chief ministers, along with the leadership of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, strongly condemned India's water threats and unanimously reaffirmed their support for the federal government's position. The Prime Minister lauded this united stance, calling it "a reflection of our collective national resolve to protect Pakistan's water security". PM Shehbaz also pointed to the serious problem of silting in existing reservoirs like Tarbela and Mangla, which has drastically reduced their water retention capacities. He said bold decisions must be taken now, or history will judge today's leadership harshly. "We owe it to our 240 million people to act decisively. This is not about politics — it's about survival. The future generations must remember this leadership with respect for the choices we make today," he declared. PM Shehbaz congratulated the Finance Minister, Economic Affairs Minister, and relevant secretaries for successfully securing loans from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank despite strong Indian lobbying. "India tried to sabotage our projects at the ADB for three days, but failed. Our diplomatic victory is a testament to Pakistan's principled stand and growing credibility," he noted. Concluding the meeting, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his unwavering belief in the collective strength of Pakistan's national, provincial, and military leadership. "Just as our brave armed forces stood firm in the battlefield, we must now stand united in securing every drop of water for our people," he said. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal COAS General Asim Munir, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Power Minister Owais Leghari, Water Resources Minister Muneeb Wattoo, and other key federal cabinet members. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, AJK PM Anwarul Haq, and GB Chief Minister Gulbar Khan were also present, along with senior civil and military officials.
Business Recorder
11 hours ago
- Business Recorder
High-profile United Nations bodies: PM hails Pakistan's appointment
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday welcomed Pakistan's appointment to several high-profile United Nations committees, calling it a sign of the international community's confidence in the country's counterterrorism record. On Wednesday, Pakistan was named chair of the UN Security Council committee established under Resolution 1988 (2011), which oversees sanctions against the Afghan Taliban. The country was also appointed vice chair of the council's Counter-Terrorism Committee, responsible for monitoring the implementation of Resolution 1373 (2001), a key component of the UN's counterterrorism framework. In addition, Pakistan will serve as co-chair of two subsidiary bodies: the Informal Working Group on Documentation and the newly formed Working Group on Sanctions. 'These key appointments validate the international community's confidence and trust in Pakistan's counterterrorism credentials,' Sharif said in a post on X. He described the recognition as a source of national pride, emphasising Pakistan's long and costly battle against terrorism. Sharif cited more than 90,000 casualties and economic losses exceeding $150 billion since Pakistan joined the global war on terror. The Pakistani Mission to the United Nations hailed the appointments as a significant diplomatic achievement, noting that they reflect the country's active engagement with the UN and its current role as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. Pakistan began its eighth two-year term on the Security Council on January 1, representing the Asia-Pacific group. It is scheduled to assume the council's rotating presidency in July. While non-permanent members do not hold veto power, they often wield considerable influence in sanctions-related bodies, where decisions are made by consensus. The appointments come as the international community grapples with intensifying conflicts in Gaza, Kashmir and Syria – regions where the Security Council's effectiveness continues to face scrutiny. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
