Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik has announced that oil refineries have agreed to reduce diesel price by around 32 rupees per liter to provide relief to the people.

He was addressing a joint news conference with Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar in Islamabad today.

Ali Pervaiz Malik said the final calculation of reduction in diesel prices will be announced by OGRA.

He said the government is fully cognizant of the difficulties being faced by the people due to the war and is taking measures within its available resources to provide relief.

Ali Pervaiz Malik said the reduction will particularly benefit farmers using tractors and tube-wells, as well as students travelling by buses.

The Minister thanked the country's refineries for accepting the government's request and said the government would pass on the full benefit to consumers.

He said, on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he will visit refineries in Karachi next week to discuss their upgradation and measures to strengthen Pakistan's energy security.

He said the government will also work on bonded schemes and crude oil storage arrangements with friendly countries to address vulnerabilities in the country's energy sector.

The Minister urged the people to remain patient, assuring them that the government will continue to provide relief as fiscal space becomes available.