Despite the govt announced austerity plan, the sale of petroleum products in the country increased. Sales by oil marketing companies (OMCs) rose by 13 percent in March.According to sources, petroleum product sales reached 1.44mn tons in March, reflecting a 19 percent year-on-year increase. During the first nine months of the current fiscal year, total OMC sales stood at 12.40 million tons, showing an overall annual growth of 5 percent.

Petrol sales amounted to 0.67 million tons, up 16 percent year-on-year, while diesel sales reached 0.62 million tons, marking a 21 percent increase. Furnace oil sales recorded a significant 98 percent month-on-month surge. Among individual companies, PSO’s sales were 0.63 million tons, while Attock Petroleum’s sales totaled 0.11 million tons.Earlier Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had announced a comprehensive fourteen point austerity plan to tackle economic severity stemming from war in the region.

He made the announcement in his televised address to the nation after chairing a meeting on austerity measures.   The Prime Minister said to avoid extra fuel consumption, fifty percent staff of all public and private sector institutes will work from home except for essential services departments.He said there will be four working days except for banks, industries and agriculture sectors. Also, there will be a total ban on iftaar parties and dinners, and online, video link modes will be prioritized for meetings.

The Prime Minister said schools will remain closed from the end of this week for next two weeks while higher educational institutes will shift on online classes.   He announced fifty percent reduction in fuel quota for public sector institutes for next two months except ambulances and public-use buses. Sixty percent transport used in government offices is also being closed for next two months. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)