Pakistan, Nov. 2 -- Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said on Sunday that more than 12-13 million deserving people were being provided subsidised petrol at pre-war prices.

Speaking at a university convocation, he said: "Today, as I stand before you, I am pleased to share with all of you that more than 12-13 million people who deserve this subsidy, who deserve subsidised fuel, are being provided subsidised petrol at pre-war prices."

Explaining the impact of the crisis, he said the disruption around the Strait of Hormuz had affected everyone. Families had been forced to make difficult choices as countries struggled to arrange foreign exchange to buy increasingly expensive oil, gas, LPG and other fuels to keep their economies runnin...