Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday instructed authorities to take stringent measures against those responsible for creating artificial shortages of petroleum products amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran.
During a high-level meeting, the prime minister was updated on the government’s austerity initiatives and the preparations underway to tackle challenges stemming from the uncertain regional environment. He emphasized the importance of a comprehensive strategy to ensure timely and effective responses whenever necessary.
“By the grace of Allah, Pakistan’s economy remains stable at present. Nonetheless, a thorough plan must be developed to address any potential scenarios,” the prime minister stated.
He acknowledged that government subsidies had played a crucial role in mitigating the impact of rising fuel prices. Additionally, he praised the public’s cooperation in the national campaign aimed at conserving petroleum products and energy resources.
PM Shehbaz highlighted that the federal government’s prompt and efficient decisions had successfully managed the country’s fuel supply situation. These measures provided significant relief to ordinary citizens, including motorcyclists, rickshaw drivers, and transporters, shielding them from the full effects of increased petroleum costs.
In a significant development, the prime minister cautioned that ongoing regional tensions could adversely affect Pakistan’s economy in the future. He underscored the necessity of fostering a culture of conservation and savings across the nation.
The meeting was informed that adequate petroleum reserves were currently available to meet national demand, and arrangements had been made to guarantee an uninterrupted fuel supply going forward.
Federal Ministers Ahsan Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervez Malik, and Owais Khan Leghari participated in the meeting, alongside State Minister Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Tariq Bajwa, State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad, and other senior government officials.
