Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday chaired a meeting to review the implementation of fuel saving and austerity measures in view of the rapidly deteriorating situation in the region. The meeting was briefed on the country’s current reserves, consumption and cargoes.
The meeting was informed that there was adequate stock of petroleum products to meet the country’s needs and more was being arranged.
It was told that arrangements could be made regarding fuel reserves with the timely practical steps and instructions of the Prime Minister.
In view of the unstable situation in the Middle East and the region, which may severely affect fuel supply, further saving measures will have to be taken in the coming days to deal with the situation.
The meeting was briefed on the progress of implementing austerity and saving measures.
The Prime Minister directed that a comprehensive action plan should be formulated in collaboration with the provinces to deal with the emergency.
He said as a result of adopting a policy of austerity and savings, it was possible to provide relief to the people. He stressed that all relevant departments should be ready for emergency measures until the situation improves.
The participants were told that the implementation of the instructions issued by the Prime Minister was being ensured, and the Intelligence Bureau was also monitoring the situation.
The meeting members also urged that the elite should come forward and set an example of saving and thrift by adopting the spirit of sacrifice.
The government also appealed to the people to adopt measures to save petrol and diesel, so that the risk of disruption of the availability of petroleum products in the coming days could be avoided.
It was announced that “we will have to be ready to deal with every possible situation and adapt our behavior according to the changing circumstances. Carpooling should be adopted to save petrol, and movement should be done collectively. Unnecessary travel should be avoided and movement should be limited to save oil”.
“The entire situation is being monitored, and records of petroleum products are being kept, so that any irregularities can be immediately identified and steps can be taken to remedy the situation,” the meeting was told.
Army Chief and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, National Security Advisor, Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema, Law Minister, Azam Nazir Tarar, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Climate Change, Dr. Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecom, Shaza Fatima, Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Bilal Azhar Kayani and relevant senior government officials attended the meeting.
Separately, Shehbaz Sharif Thursday said he reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast solidarity with Turkiye as well as with other brotherly Gulf countries, and conveyed readiness to support efforts aimed at de-escalation and dialogue.
In a post on X, he said, “Spoke with my dear brother, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the Republic of Türkiye, this evening and conveyed warm Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to him, his family, and the brotherly people of Türkiye.”
“During our most cordial exchange, we discussed the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East. I strongly condemned the attacks on our brotherly country Turkiye as well as other brotherly countries in the region. We urged maximum restraint and stressed upon the need for resolving differences through dialogue and diplomacy,” he added.
The Prime Minister said, “We also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and I acknowledged Türkiye’s constructive role in supporting peace efforts, between Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly its contribution towards the recent temporary ceasefire during Eid days.”
“We also expressed satisfaction on the positive momentum in our bilateral cooperation across all spheres of mutual interest,” he added.
Moreover, Shehbaz Sharif Thursday held a telephone conversation with King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
During their warm conversation, the Prime Minister extended Eid greetings and felicitations to His Majesty, the Royal Family and the brotherly people of the Kingdom of Jordan. His Majesty King Abdullah II reciprocated these sentiments. Both leaders also called for peace and harmony in the ranks of the Ummah.
The two leaders discussed the evolving situation in the Middle East. The Prime Minister expressed deep concern over the ongoing hostilities in the region. While expressing his strong condemnation of the attacks on Jordan during the ongoing regional escalation, the Prime Minister expressed solidarity with the people of Jordan in these difficult times. He emphasized upon the need for restraint, de-escalation, and diplomatic resolution of tensions. The Prime Minister fondly recalled His Majesty’s visit to Pakistan last November. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to further strengthening its close and brotherly relations with Jordan in all areas of shared interest, particularly in trade, investment, and defence.
Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact on bilateral and regional matters.