ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communication Abdul Aleem Khan has promised to bear the repatriation expenses of Pakistani prisoners in Sri Lankan jails, said an official statement on Friday, making it possible for them to return to their home country by removing a major obstacle.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka agreed to take immediate steps to ensure the return of 43 prisoners in a meeting held between the Sri Lankan High Commissioner, Admiral (r) Ravindra Chandra, and Federal Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, in May.
However, their release had been delayed due to the financial issues.
“Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has announced to bear all expenses for the repatriation of Pakistani prisoners stranded in Sri Lanka for years,” the interior ministry said in a statement. “These prisoners will now be able to return home soon after completing the necessary procedures.”
The interior minister expressed his gratitude to Khan for taking interest in the matter, applauding his gesture which he said would be “a breath of fresh air for the prisoners and their families.”
According to Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), nearly 14,000 Pakistani citizens are languishing in prisons across the world.
JPP, a local advocacy group, represents vulnerable Pakistan prisoners at home and abroad.
Pakistani minister announces plan to bear prisoner repatriation expenses from Sri Lanka
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Pakistani minister announces plan to bear prisoner repatriation expenses from Sri Lanka
- Abdul Aleem Khan’s decision will bring back more than 40 Pakistani prisoners to the country from Sri Lankan jails
- According to the interior ministry, their release was delayed due to difficulties in meeting the required expenses
Pakistan hikes prices of petrol by Rs5, diesel by Rs7.32 per liter for next fortnight
- After latest increase, new price of petrol is RsRs258.17 per liter while that of diesel is Rs275.70 per liter
- Fuel prices in Pakistan are reviewed fortnightly, influenced by global oil prices, exchange rate movements, taxes
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government has increased the price of petrol by Rs5 per liter and that of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs5 per liter and Rs7.32 per liter, respectively, an official notification by the Ministry of Energy said on Sunday.
After the fresh increase, the new price of petrol is Rs258.17 per liter from the previous Rs253.17 per liter. Meanwhile, the new price of HSD is Rs275.70 per liter, up from the previous Rs268.38 per liter.
“The government has raised the prices of petroleum products based on recommendations of OGRA [Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority],” a notification by the Ministry of Energy said on Sunday.
Fuel prices in Pakistan are reviewed fortnightly and are influenced by global oil prices, exchange rate movements and domestic taxes. The pricing mechanism passes changes in import costs on to consumers.
The government kept the price of petrol unchanged on Feb. 1, increasing that of HSD by Rs11.30 per lite.
Petrol is mainly used in private transport, motorcycles and rickshaws, while diesel fuels heavy transport and agricultural machinery and is considered a key driver of inflation in the South Asian country.
Financial analysts warn constant increases in prices of petroleum products stoke inflation, inflicting a heavy burden on consumers.
