ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday called on the country’s diplomats to improve their services and support to overseas Pakistanis, a state-run news agency, Associated Press of Pakistan, reported.
The prime minister’s address to the envoys comes days after his office initiated a formal inquiry against the country’s embassy in Riyadh, suspended the outgoing ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and recalled several members of staff following complaints by expat Pakistani workers in the kingdom who said their embassy had mistreated them.
“It is unfortunate how we (embassy staff) deal with overseas Pakistanis. This is unacceptable. It cannot go on in this way during the current era. The embassies were duty-bound to serve the diaspora,” Khan said in an online conference with Pakistani ambassadors and chiefs of foreign missions.
“Overseas Pakistanis are our major strength. Pakistan is running on their remittances,” the PM said. “If they would not have been remitting, the country would have gone toward bankruptcy.”
Despite the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing lockdowns across the world, Pakistani workers’ remittances in March 2021 increased by 43 percent $2.7 billion compared with to the inflows in the same period last year.
The increasing inflows last month prompted Khan to thank to thank the foreign workers for the “record-breaking remittances.”
“You sent over $2 billion for 10 straight months despite COVID, breaking all records. We thank you,” he said. “The love and commitment of overseas Pakistanis to Pakistan is unparalleled.”
The inflows came mainly from Saudi Arabia, standing at $5.7 billion, the United Arab Emirates at $4.5 billion, Britain at $2.9 billion, and the US at $1.9 billion, according to central bank data.
PM Khan urges Pakistani diplomats to improve services to expats
https://arab.news/n6xzx
PM Khan urges Pakistani diplomats to improve services to expats
- PM’s call comes in the wake of inquiry against the country’s embassy in Riyadh over complaints by expat Pakistani workers
- Without remittances from overseas workers, the country would have run into bankruptcy, PM Khan says
Pakistan raises fuel prices by Rs55 per liter as Middle East conflict drives oil surge
- Government says adequate fuel stocks in place despite global energy shock
- Oil prices jump from about $78 to over $106 per barrel amid regional conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 ($0.20) per liter each as escalating conflict in the Middle East sent global oil prices sharply higher and disrupted energy supply routes, officials said.
Global oil markets have been rattled since coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran began last week, triggering retaliatory attacks across the region, raising fears of disruption to key energy shipping routes and pushing petroleum prices sharply upward.
The price adjustment in Pakistan was announced after a joint press conference by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, who said the government was monitoring international energy markets and domestic supply conditions amid the crisis.
“So, the decision we have made by changing the levy a little bit is that we are going ahead with increasing the price of both fuels, petrol and diesel, by Rs55 ($0.20),” Malik told reporters.
“And as soon as this matter settles, we will revise the prices downward with the same speed and take steps on how to increase people’s income and purchasing power.”
He said Pakistan entered the crisis with “comfortable energy reserves” due to earlier planning but rising global prices had forced the government to adjust domestic fuel rates to maintain supply continuity.
He said international petrol prices had climbed from roughly $78 per barrel on March 1 to around $106.8 per barrel, while diesel prices had risen to about $150 per barrel.
Malik added that the government had taken steps to minimize the burden on consumers, noting diesel plays a critical role in agriculture, transportation and public mobility.
Malik also warned that authorities would take strict action against anyone attempting to hoard fuel or manipulate supply for profiteering.
The minister said Pakistan was working with international partners to secure additional energy supplies, including arrangements with Saudi Aramco and the use of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation vessels to transport crude oil imports.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb said a high-level government committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been meeting daily to review developments in global petroleum markets and their potential impact on Pakistan’s economy.
“Pakistan currently maintains adequate energy stocks and macroeconomic stability,” Aurangzeb said, adding that the government’s response was based on preparedness rather than panic.
He said the committee, which includes senior ministers, the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and other officials, was assessing short-, medium- and long-term implications of the crisis for inflation, foreign exchange reserves and broader economic indicators.
Deputy PM Dar said the regional conflict had significantly disrupted global energy markets, with international petroleum prices rising by as much as 50–70 percent in recent days.
The deputy prime minister added that Pakistan was also engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and restoring stability in the region.
Petroleum prices will now be reviewed more frequently, potentially on a weekly basis, and any reduction in global oil prices would be passed on to consumers.
Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported fuel to meet its energy needs, is particularly vulnerable to global oil price shocks that can quickly feed into inflation and pressure the country’s external accounts.
