Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and actively support the government’s austerity drive amid rising tensions in the Middle East following the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Chairing a review meeting on fuel conservation via video link, the premier said Pakistan has sufficient petroleum stocks due to timely government planning, while public relief remains a top priority during global oil price surges.
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To cushion citizens from international price shocks, the federal government allocated Rs125 billion through budget savings and development cuts, ensuring petroleum prices remain stable without passing additional costs onto the public.
The prime minister appealed to offices and workplaces to prioritise teleconferencing, while urging provincial authorities to facilitate motorcycle and rickshaw owners in registering vehicles to digitise records and extend future relief benefits.
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Officials updated the meeting on a digital dashboard tracking petroleum supply and demand, while arrangements for April fuel imports have been finalised, and a proposed support programme for motorbike and rickshaw drivers is underway.
PM Shehbaz recently rejected a proposal to increase petrol and diesel prices, noting that petrol should cost Rs544 per litre and diesel Rs790, but the government continues providing them at Rs322 and Rs335 respectively.