Nawaz Sharif calls for relief amid rising inflation and fuel prices

LAHORE: PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif has demanded relief to the people on the rise in petrol prices, saying that the prices of essential commodities must be brought within the reach of the common man.

According to details, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held an important meeting with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif in Jati Umra, in which important regional issues including the overall political and economic situation of the country were discussed.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar were also present in the meeting.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar gave Nawaz Sharif a detailed briefing on the reasons for the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products and economic constraints.

The Prime Minister took Nawaz Sharif into confidence regarding the prices of petroleum products. Nawaz Sharif expressed concern over the increase in the prices of petroleum products and stressed that the government’s first priority should be to reduce public hardship.

He directed that in this era of inflation, the federal and Punjab governments should have the same policy to provide all possible protection to the poor and expedite relief measures.

Nawaz Sharif said that it is not possible to provide relief to the people without controlling inflation, the government will have to take tough decisions at the administrative level and bring the prices of essential commodities within the reach of the common man.

Sources said that detailed consultations were also held in the meeting on the upcoming elections in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan and the two leaders agreed to prepare a vigorous election campaign and political strategy for success in the elections.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took the party leader into confidence regarding the election preparations.

Pakistan’s foreign policy and regional stability were also discussed in the meeting. The Prime Minister informed Nawaz Sharif about the “behind-the-scenes” diplomatic efforts made by Pakistan to revive talks between Iran and the United States.