The federal government has prioritised protecting the country's foreign exchange reserves over making popular decisions.

Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik stated this while addressing a ceremony in Lahore today.

He said targeted subsidies have been introduced to mitigate the impact of rising petroleum prices on the public.

He said the government would extend relief to consumers as soon as petroleum prices declined in the international market.

The Petroleum Minister said tensions between Iran and the United States affected petroleum prices in the global market.

He emphasised that even modest measures to conserve energy can help save valuable foreign exchange.

Ali Pervaiz Malik stressed the need to promote a culture of energy conservation, urging the public to avoid unnecessary energy consumption during the winter season.