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ECC approves hike in profit margins of petroleum dealers, OMCs

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ECC approves hike in profit margins of petroleum dealers, OMCs


Employees at a fuel station attend to their customers in Islamabad, Pakistan, on February 16, 2022. — AFP/File
  • Petrol diesel rates likely to rise up to Rs2.56 per litre: sources.
  • Committee approves amendments to vehicle import procedure.
  • ECC okays summary seeking curbs on chloroform imports.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to revise the profit margins of oil marketing companies (OMCs) and petroleum dealers on petrol and high-speed diesel.

The ECC meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb.

The adjustments were made in line with the National Consumer Price Index (CPI) for 2023–24 and 2024–25, with increases capped between 5% and 10%.

It also decided that half of the increase in the margins will be paid immediately, while the remaining half will be conditional on digitisation progress, with the Petroleum Division to report back by June 1, 2026.

Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb chairs Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal meetings meeting at Finance Division on December 9, 2025. — Facebook/@FinanceMinistryPK
Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb chairs Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal meeting’s meeting at Finance Division on December 9, 2025. — Facebook/@FinanceMinistryPK

Sources told Geo News that the decision would push the prices of petrol and diesel by up to Rs2.56 per litre. An increase of Rs1.28 per litre in petrol and diesel prices will be passed on immediately, they added.

It emerged that the hike of Rs1.22 per litre in OMCs’ margin on petrol has been approved, while dealers’ commission on petrol has been raised by Rs1.34 per litre.

For diesel, the OMCs’ margin has also been increased by Rs1.22 per litre, and dealers’ commission by Rs1.34 per litre, the sources added.

New scheme for vehicle imports

The committee approved amendments to the vehicle import procedure, retaining only the transfer of residence and gift schemes.

Under the revised framework, commercial-import safety and environmental standards will apply to these schemes, the intervening import period will be extended from two to three years, and imported vehicles will remain non-transferable for one year.

Restrictions on chloroform imports

The ECC of the federal cabinet also approved a summary seeking restrictions on chloroform imports due to its toxic and carcinogenic nature, and decided that Trichloromethane (chloroform) would only be imported by pharmaceutical companies and only with a DRAP-issued NOC.

It also considered a summary regarding the claim of M/s Ghani Glass for a concessionary gas/RLNG tariff and decided the request was untenable as such subsidies were no longer permissible and that wider export-support initiatives were already in progress.

It also reviewed the Circular Debt Management Plan for FY 2025–26, presented by the Power Division, for ensuring financial sustainability and efficiency in the power sector.

The ECC called on the Power Division, in coordination with the Finance Division, to develop a medium-term plan for gradually reducing fiscal support.

It also asked the Power Division to institute a follow-up mechanism with the distribution companies (Discos) to ensure delivery of the targets committed to the Government.

On another summary, the committee approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs1.28 billion for the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) to facilitate digital transformation and technological innovation across government departments.

The committee further approved the release of funds as technical supplementary grant relating to the development expenditure of the Cabinet Division for FY26, as proposed by the Interior and Narcotics Control Division.

The ECC also approved the allocation of Rs5 billion to the Housing and Works Division through a technical supplementary grant for the current fiscal year.

On a summary by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the ECC approved creating a special-purpose company to wind up Passco and settle its remaining liabilities.

It authorised the company’s incorporation, administrative and financial arrangements, and necessary regulatory exemptions, along with appointing initial subscribers and interim management.

The company will be dissolved once its mandate is fulfilled.

Additionally, the committee accorded in-principle approval for the release of budgetary allocation for PIA Holding Company Ltd (PIAHCL) to meet pension and medical related expenses of the PIACL employees.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Minister for Investment Board Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, along with federal secretaries and senior officials from the concerned ministries, divisions and regulatory bodies.


— With additional input from APP.





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Prince William, Princess Kate deliver important letter to Princess Charlotte

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Prince William, Princess Kate deliver important letter to Princess Charlotte


Princess Charlotte already has a fan

Princess Charlotte received a very important letter ahead of a special meeting.

The contents of the letter were later revealed by Charlotte’s parents Prince William and Princess Kate. They shared an excerpt to their Instagram Stories on Tuesday, December 12, via the official Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram page. The sweet letter was handwritten especially for 10-year-old Charlotte by the same-aged daughter of Carly Barrett, who received an MBE from King Charles at Windsor Castle the previous day.

Prince William, Princess Kate deliver important letter to Princess Charlotte

“Dear Princess Charlotte,” the letter began, boasting excellent penmanship. “My name is Grace Barrett, and I’m 10 years old, just like you!”

The letter continued, “I’m writing to you because I will be visiting you on December with my mum, Carly Barrett, who is being awarded an MBE for her special work helping people affected with crime. My Nana, Alison Madgin, is also receiving a MBE on the same day.”

Madgin found Samantha’s Charity in 2019 in honour of her late daughter Samantha, who was stabbed to death in 2007. Along with Samantha’s sister Carly, the organisation aims to bring awareness about knife crime, especially among the youth.

Prince William, Princess Kate deliver important letter to Princess Charlotte

Inspired by the strength of her mother and grandmother, Grace wrote in her letter, “I’m really proud of them both and feel [text missing] and honoured to be going with them.” 





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Prince Harry, Meghan Markle react to Australia’s new legislation

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Prince Harry, Meghan Markle react to Australia’s new legislation


Prince Harry, Meghan Markle react to Australia’s new legislation

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have responded to Australia’s landmark decision.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archewell Foundation has issued a statement, praising Australia’s law prohibiting social media access for children under 16, which comes into force on Wednesday, December 10.

The law targets platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and Snapchat, with companies facing penalties of up to AUD$50million (£24.8million) should they fail to prevent young users from accessing their services.

In a statement titled “Australia Takes Bold Action to Protect Kids Online. But It Shouldn’t Have Come to This”, the rcouple’s Foundation praised the Australian Government’s decisive move while cautioning that the measure represents only a temporary solution to a deeper problem within the technology industry.

The foundation lauded the country for recognising and responding to the harmful impact technology companies have had on young people.

“This bold, decisive action to protect children at a critical moment in their development sends a strong signal that a child’s mind is not a commodity to be exploited,” the statement read.

Archewell described the legislation as giving young people “valuable time back in their childhoods”, though it stressed that the ban does not resolve the underlying problems that continue to plague social media platforms.

The Sussexes’s stance of improved online safety measures has received a sppaial backing with the action as the couple  have long advocated to save children from the social media harm.

The statement painted a stark picture of the damage brought by unregulated platforms: “We’ve heard from too many grieving parents. Too many families devastated by cyberbullying, feeds that radicalize kids toward self-harm, and algorithmic manipulation designed to maximize engagement at any cost.”

“The companies ‘unintended consequences’ of a decade ago are now part of their money making strategy, and children have become their collateral,” the statement declared.

However, the Foundation acknowledged that social media possesses considerable capacity for positive impact, noting that platforms can foster creativity, provide educational resources and help young people discover their communities.





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Taylor Swift’s fiancé Travis Kelce opens up about Chief’s loss

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Taylor Swift’s fiancé Travis Kelce opens up about Chief’s loss


Taylor Swift’s fiancé Travis Kelce opens up about Chief’s loss

Taylor Swift’s fiancé, Travis Kelce broke his silence following the Kansas City Chiefs devastating 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans.

The Super Bowl Champion admitted the defeat left him with what he called ‘sh—thy f—king feeling.”

Speaking on the latest episode of his podcast New Heights with brother Jason Kelce, the 36-year-old confessed he was haunted by a late-game dropped pass that left to a Texans interception.

“Especially dropping the ball late in the game like that, when we were on our last f–king chance to make something shake,” Kelce said. “It’s a sh–tty feeling.”

Jason Kelce pushed back noting the difficulty of the play, but the tight end admitted he holds himself to a higher standard.

“I keep thinking if I show up to work, fix the issues through my practice habits, perfect the game plan and fundamentals, and play my ass off for my guys next to me — it’s all going to come together like it has in years past,” he said.

The loss has put the Chiefs’ playoff hopes in jeopardy which is a stark contrast to their three consecutive Super Bowl appearances.

“Looking at the playoffs, this is a tough reality to be in,” Kelce admitted. “Especially for how we’ve always found a way in years past.”

The Grotesquerie star wasn’t alone in the disappointment.

The Life of a Showgirl hitmaker was in the stands at Arrowhead Stadium, joined by close friends Selena Gomez and Lena Dunham as well as Leonardo DiCaprio.





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