ISLAMABAD: Federal government has decided to significantly reduce the price of diesel, with refineries agreeing to cut the per-liter price by Rs. 30 to Rs. 32, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said.

Malik said the government understands the difficulties and hardships being faced by the public and is making every effort to provide immediate relief wherever possible.

He said the decision to subsidize petroleum products was also part of the government’s efforts to ease the burden on consumers.

“The difficult period will pass,” Malik said, adding that the government would make every possible effort to protect the public from the impact of rising fuel prices.

The petroleum minister said the escalation in the intensity of the war had pushed up prices of petroleum products and caused diesel supply problems in several countries.

He said refineries had decided to reduce the price of diesel by more than Rs. 30 to Rs. 32 per liter, providing significant relief to consumers.