ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik to immediately travel to Karachi and hold talks with local oil refineries to secure relief for consumers amid rising fuel prices. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the prime minister issued the directives during a meeting with the petroleum minister, asking him to negotiate with oil refineries and take measures to reduce the price of locally produced diesel. The prime minister’s move comes as consumers face mounting pressure from successive increases in petrol and high-speed diesel prices. The surge in fuel prices has also triggered concerns among the transport sector, with a nationwide goods transporters’ strike recently deferred after the government assured them that their grievances would be addressed. Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the petroleum minister to engage with refineries on an urgent basis and explore measures that could provide relief to consumers.