Adviser to the prime minister, Rana Sanaullah said on Saturday that the government was compelled to take difficult decisions in view of the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Addressing a press conference, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said that, despite prevailing hardships, the prime minister reduced petrol prices by Rs80 per litre a day earlier.
He said there was no room for any group seeking to create disorder in the country, adding that the world was looking towards Pakistan to help bring an end to the conflict. He maintained that the prime minister, the Field Marshal and Ishaq Dar had created an atmosphere of confidence, and that Iran was grateful to Pakistan.
Sanaullah said Pakistan was in a position to contribute towards resolving the crisis and expressed hope that the country would emerge with honour. He said all political and non-political forces should stand united with Pakistan.
Referring to economic matters, he said relief had been passed on to the public following facilitation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He added that efforts for a ceasefire were under way and had seen positive progress, expressing hope that the conflict could conclude in the coming days or weeks.
He said that only two Pakistani vessels had so far managed to arrive through the Strait of Hormuz.
On fuel prices, he said transporters should avoid excessive increases in fares. He said public transport in Punjab had been made free, while reiterating that the Prime Minister had reduced petrol prices by Rs80 per litre. He said these measures had been taken under compulsion after consultation with chief ministers and party leaders, adding that efforts continued to provide relief wherever possible.
He said measures could be considered to ease the burden on motorcyclists. Commenting on political affairs, he terming Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeem as a patriotic and active political worker and suggested convening an all-parties conference with participation from other parties to offer constructive proposals.
He said protests against the government were not justified, as the present crisis was not of Pakistan’s making. He added that any protest should instead be directed against those responsible for initiating the war, naming Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and added that demonstrations had also taken place in the United States.
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