Pakistan’s government austerity measures aimed at curbing fuel consumption have not achieved the intended results. In response to the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran, Pakistan implemented several steps to maintain a stable fuel supply. These included instituting weekly school holidays, limiting the use of government vehicles for non-essential purposes, and other nationwide efforts to reduce fuel demand.
However, fuel consumption in Pakistan has continued to rise. Data from the Ministry of Petroleum reveals that petrol sales increased during the last half of March. Compared to the same period last year, diesel usage has surged by 25 percent, while petrol consumption has grown by 18 percent. This upward trend has raised concerns among officials, especially given the government’s austerity push.
In a significant development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a high-level meeting to address the issue. Following the discussions, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi instructed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to initiate an inquiry into the matter. Authorities anticipate that this investigation could lead to major findings and potential actions against certain petroleum companies operating within Pakistan.
Officials have expressed unease that despite public holidays during Eid and school closures, fuel consumption—particularly petrol and diesel—has not decreased as expected. This situation has sparked questions regarding the effectiveness of current policies and the need for stricter enforcement.
