Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Muhammad Naseer Mengal on Saturday said that the government would not allow upward revision of oil and LPG prices, at least for the remaining months of the current fiscal year. The minister gave this assurance here at a 'Meet the Press' programme organised by the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club.
He said that the policy of capping oil prices was an effective tool to protect the consumers from quick surge in oil prices in the international market, and the government would adhere to this policy.
He said that the government had taken serious notice of upward revision in LPG rates at the start of the winter season and forced the distribution companies to take their decision back to avoid more financial burden on the consumers.
The state minister said that Ministry of Petroleum was concentrating on various areas to attract investment. He expressed satisfaction over the performance of his ministry in this regard.
Mengal said that the government was pushing forward its agenda of Pakistan's prosperity and progress and its focus on mega development projects like Gwadar port and coastal highway was its ample proof.
He deplored that some elements were carrying out terrorist activities in the country to sabotage Pakistan's programme of prosperity and progress. He expressed confidence that terrorism would meet failure, and finally justice and peace would prevail in the country to lead it to substantial progress.
He disagreed with a questioner that the law and order situation in his native province was hampering oil and gas exploration activities. He said that law and order was being disturbed by the terrorists whose target is entire Pakistan. He referred to various incidents of terrorism to justify his proposition that Balochistan was not the specific target of terrorists.
He strongly supported the idea of establishing cantonment in Balochistan and condemned those who were opposing the move. He said that those who were opposing the establishment of cantonment in Balochistan actually wanted to deprive the people of province of progress and prosperity. He said that defence was a federal subject and the establishment of the new cantonment in any area of the country should be left to the federal government.