Steps are being taken for providing relief to the masses:Punjab Government

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin and Spokesman Punjab Government Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri have said that emergent steps have been taken for providing benefits of deduction in prices of petroleum products to common man and special checking squads headed by DCOs have been constituted throughout the province. Eight to ten percent decrease has been made in the transport fares due to which the prices of essential items will also reduce considerably. They said that strict action will be taken against those not selling petrol and diesel at new prices. Prices of daily use items including fruits, vegetables and pulses have reduced from Rs.10 to 20 during the last three months.

They expressed these views while addressing an emergent press conference at 90-SQA, today. Secretaries of Industry, Transport, Labour and Information departments were present on the occasion. Bilal Yasin said that after the decrease in prices of petroleum products by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Punjab government took emergent steps for immediate implementation. He told that sale of petrol and diesel at new prices has been ensured after last 12 midnight. He said that instructions have been issued to all DCOs and special checking squads have been constituted under their leadership. He told that eight to ten percent reduction have been made in transport fare with the cooperation of transporters which will directly benefit the people. He said that Rs.50 has been reduced in a fare of Rs.600.

Similarly, Rs.75 has been reduced in the fare of Rs.1000 and Rs.150 in the fare of above Rs.1000. Bilal Yasin told that fare of buses plying on metalled road has been reduced from Rs.1.06 to 98 paisa per kilometer. Similarly, the fare of buses running on Katcha roads has been reduced from Rs.1.11 to Rs.1.03 whereas the fare on hilly road has been reduced from Rs.1.16 to Rs.1.08. He further told that Rs.3 has been reduced in the fare of buses plying on urban route. Bilal Yasin told that eight percent reduction has also been made in the fares of goods transport. He told that the price of 20 kg atta bag is Rs.785 for the last two years whereas the price of sugar will be reduced to Rs.55 and no one will be allowed to increase its price.

Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri told that Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is in touch with the administration from London and personally supervising all matters. He told that 2085 raids have been conducted at petrol pumps throughout the province and action has been taken against 196 petrol pumps. He told that 30 petrol pumps were sealed and cases have been registered against 54 and a fine of Rs.6.5 lakh has been received. Zaeem Qadri said that the reduction in prices of petroleum products is the biggest decrease of the history. He said that this step of Pakistan Muslim League-N government is a clear proof of its being people friendly. He said that benefits of reduction in prices of petroleum products will be provided to common man.