LAHORE: The central president of Tehreek-i-Isti­q­lal has suggested the government import Iranian oil to curb its smuggling.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Reh­mat Khan Wardag said the supply of smuggled diesel from Iran was thwarting the business of local oil marketing companies and making their investments worth billions go to waste.

He demanded the government immediately ban the smuggling of Iranian diesel into the country.

Mr Wardag referred to the exit of Shell oil company from Pakistan. He said major petroleum companies were leaving due to the smuggling.

He said the cost of doing business had increased, making it impossible for large and small companies to meet their expenses.

The large companies were unable to pay salaries to their employees, he claimed. Mr Wardag suggested the government should import Iranian oil or allow the petroleum comp­anies to do so.

Mr Wardag also urged the government to introduce barter trade with neighbouring cou­n­tries or use local and Chin­­ese currencies to end its depe­ndence on the US dollar. This, he said, would stabilise the economy and curb inflation.

The development of the agriculture sector should be among the top priorities so that Pakistan could become self-sufficient in food production, he said.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2023