Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: In order to make the environment cleaner and more hygienic, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Thursday allowed the introduction of 92 Research Octane Number (RON) premium motor gasoline (petrol) in Pakistan.

Currently the country was using 87 RON premium which has been largely abandoned by the world. The new 92 RON cleaner and efficient fuel will have lower emissions. ECC met under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Finance Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat on Thursday. The new arrangement will be effective from the next cycle of PSO tender in this year. The new cleaner and efficient fuel will have lower emissions.

Source told this scribe that Ministry of Petroleum decided to ban the preparation, selling or purchasing of 87 RON premium in country one month ago and the Ministry had sent a summary to ECC in this regard. Sources further said that Refineries will mix the imported 97 RON Petrol with 87, after that it would make the 92 RON Petrol.

However it is mentioning here that the country’s refining machinery has become outdated and refineries will make illegal profits by mixing 92 RON Petrol due to the higher price of this petrol. Pakistan neighboring countries Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka are using minimum 92 RON Petrol.

ECC also granted exemption from tax and duties for import of machinery and equipment/ construction materials to NHA for infrastructure projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. ECC also approved the sale of imported Urea available at the National Fertilizer Marketing Limited (NFML) at Rs.1310 per 50 kg bag. On the proposal brought by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and coordination, ECC gave approval to the exemption from customs duty and sales tax on import of Salter scales for Lady Health Workers Program.

UNICEF has provided $1.3 million under the Gavi HSS-I fund which will be utilised to purchase approximately 38,000 Scales and other equipment to be provided across the country to help children affected by stunting. Stunting can be addressed with growth monitoring and nutritional advice during the first three years of a child’s life.