Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif while terming reduction in prices of petroleum products by federal government of Pakistan Muslim League-N led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif a welcome and people-friendly step has issued instructions to provincial administration for immediately transferring the benefit of this decrease directly to the people of the province. He directed provincial administration, concerned departments and institutions that the benefit of decrease in prices of petroleum products must reach the people. He said that provision of relief to the common man should be ensured proportionately to the reduction in prices of petroleum products. The Chief Minister directed provincial administration, concerned departments and institutions that after decrease in the prices of petroleum products, a comprehensive plan should be evolved for providing immediate relief to the people of the province in the real sense and ensure its implementation. He said that immediate steps should be taken with regard to decrease in the prices of essential items, fruits and vegetables.
Shahbaz Sharif said that a comprehensive strategy should also be evolved for immediate reduction in fares of transport and ensure its implementation. He said that concerned institutions should play their vibrant and active role for providing benefit of reduction in prices of petroleum products to the common man and no effort should be spared in providing relief to the people. The Chief Minister directed Inspector General Police and Secretary Labour that availability of petroleum products at petrol pumps should be ensured at all costs. He said that special teams should be constituted and indiscriminate action be taken against the owners of petrol pumps responsible of selling petrol at higher than the fixed rates. Shahbaz Sharif said that there should be no complaint of non-availability of petroleum products at any petrol pump. He said that a vigilant eye should be kept on the situation in this regard and report be submitted on daily basis. The Chief Minister said that credit goes to the government of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif that for the first time in the history, prices of petroleum products have been reduced considerably. He said, no doubt, the decision of record decrease in the prices of petroleum products by federal government is commendable and a proof of being people-friendly. He said that common man will directly benefit from the historic step of reduction in prices of petroleum products. He expressed the hope that PML-N government will continue to take such steps in future for providing more relief to the people.