Maulana Muhammad Bashir Farooq Qadri, the Founder and Chairman of Saylani Welfare International Trust, has proposed measures to the government regarding an expected energy crisis.
He has also suggested several strategies to mitigate the expected energy crisis, such as implementing a petrol quota system for households with multiple vehicles and limiting single car travel during working hours.
He further urged PM Shehbaz Sharif to consider these recommendations in collaboration with ministers and economic advisors to avert further national debt.
In a statement released here, he remarked that the government’s choice to maintain current petroleum prices is a commendable action given the present situation, as the recent hike of Rs55 per litre has already imposed a significant burden on the impoverished.
Maulana Bashir Farooq calls for petrol quota system
He emphasised that ideally, motorcycle riders should receive petrol at subsidised rates to help sustain the basic economic stability of low-income families.
Maulana Bashir Farooq further highlighted that there have been concerning reports in recent days indicating that petrol prices could soar to Rs500 per litre, which, if realised, would render life nearly unbearable for the poor.
While addressing the energy crisis, the Saylani Chairman also recommended that the government establish a petrol quota system for the wealthy, including government officials, traders, and industrialists.
Govt may introduce income-based targeted subsidy for electricity and gas
In February, in an interview with The Pakistan Connect, journalist Mehtab Haider disclosed that a targeted subsidy for electricity and gas could potentially be implemented.
He indicated that, as part of the IMF program, the government may overhaul the current system.
At present, the criteria for granting a subsidy are determined by consumption levels.
The primary distinction of the proposed targeted subsidy is that it will not rely on the individual consumers’ electricity consumption to determine the subsidy for electricity and gas.
Read more: Income-based energy subsidy likely for BISP beneficiaries
