Rana Sana says govt considering relief in petrol prices

LAHORE: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Saturday said the government was seriously considering measures to provide relief to the public in petroleum prices.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, he said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had recently held detailed discussions on electricity, load-shedding and ways to reduce petrol prices.

“The government is seriously considering the matter of petroleum prices and, God willing, we will provide relief to the people,” Rana Sanaullah said.

Commenting on the Jamaat-e-Islami’s planned long march, Rana Sanaullah said that the government had listened seriously to the party’s demands during negotiations.

He said the government shared the desire to reduce petroleum prices and was considering possible measures to provide relief.

On the issue of creating new provinces, Rana Sanaullah said the matter should be debated and decided by parliament.

He said if the people wanted new provinces, “no one can stop them”, adding that parliament was the appropriate forum for debate on matters relating to the provinces.

He said the discussion on new provinces should take place in parliament rather than at economic forums or seminars. Once the matter was brought before parliament, he added, it could be resolved in a better direction.

JI announces Sept 20 long march to Islamabad against petrol levy

Referring to remarks by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi that provinces would be created if the people wanted them, Rana Sanaullah said the matter had not yet been formally discussed in a cabinet meeting.

Rana Sanaullah said a referendum would be held on the creation of new provinces after approval by a joint sitting of parliament.

Regarding the coalition government’s relations with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Rana Sanaullah said senior leaders had attended a meeting at the Governor House.

He said the meeting discussed how the coalition government could move forward and resolve outstanding issues.

The PML-N and PPP would resolve their differences through dialogue, he said, adding that speeches and public statements would not help improve the situation.

Regarding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s planned long march, however, Rana Sanaullah expressed doubts that it would remain peaceful.

He alleged that PTI representatives had stated that they would march towards Islamabad with the objective of bringing down the government.

He claimed that groups involved in unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could attempt to take advantage of the march.

Rana Sanaullah said it was the responsibility of law-enforcement agencies to prevent any armed groups from exploiting the protest, adding that the government would deal with the march in accordance with the law.