Poor will not be burdened: Malik

 The International Monetary Fund's review of several ideas had been made, according to Minister of State for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik on Saturday. Let me be clear, the increase in petrol prices won't affect the poor, he said.

In an interview with a private news channel, the state minister emphasised that his department had developed a more comprehensive plan to protect the poorest 50% of the population from the increase in gas prices. He disclosed that recommendations had been made to the prime minister that, if adopted, would appease both the IMF and the general public.

We will soon be able to reduce circular debt, and issues in the gas sector will be resolved, according to Malik. He rejected the notion that a financial emergency could be used to extend the tenure of the current administration and claimed that no such idea had ever been brought up at the party level. The IMF had declared that it will send a delegation to Pakistan the following week in an effort to resolve the impasse over crucial loan requirements.