Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government has provided a subsidy of Rs130 billion to provide relief to the public and could extend further relief if global oil prices reach $76 per barrel.

Speaking to reporters, Malik said the government was also working to reduce oil prices further.

He said people had been affected by the increase in petrol and diesel prices. The government had passed on more relief to consumers than the decline in global oil prices, and, on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, public service remained the government’s top priority.

On the Iran gas pipeline project, Malik said the matter was currently under trial in a court in Paris and that the government was effectively pursuing the case.

He said Pakistan would work with Iran to find a solution.