Schools closed two weeks as fuel crisis fears rise

ISLAMABAD: (Mudassar Iqbal/ Web Desk) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday cautioned that fuel prices in Pakistan may increase again in the coming days as tensions between Iran and Israel continue to escalate and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts global oil shipments.

In a televised address to the nation, the prime minister said the situation could lead to a serious fuel shortage if precautionary steps are not taken in time. He explained that international oil prices have surged sharply from nearly $60 per barrel to close to $100 in just a few days, and warned that prices may climb even higher if the crisis deepens.

Sharif acknowledged that the government had already taken difficult economic decisions in recent months to stabilize the country’s financial situation. He said the latest fuel price adjustment was a challenging step, adding that authorities initially considered a much larger increase but eventually chose a moderate option to reduce the burden on citizens.

The premier emphasized that Pakistan relies heavily on oil imports from Gulf countries, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in the international energy market. He noted that global prices are beyond the government’s control but assured the public that every effort would be made to cushion the impact on ordinary people and maintain economic stability.

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Sharif also condemned the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and members of his family in Israeli air strikes, along with the deaths of Iranian civilians. He said Pakistan firmly supports the sovereignty and security of friendly Islamic nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, and strongly denounces attacks against them.

He added that Pakistan’s armed forces, led by Asim Munir, are fully prepared to safeguard the country’s security in any situation.

To manage the expected economic pressure, the government announced several austerity steps. These include cutting fuel use for official vehicles by 50 percent, suspending the salaries of ministers and advisers, and requesting two days’ salary contributions from government officers in Grade 20 and above for relief efforts.

Further measures include a ban on foreign trips by the prime minister, ministers and advisers, a 20 percent reduction in the non-development budget, and a prohibition on official luncheons and dinners funded by the government.

In order to conserve energy, government offices will operate four days a week, with half of the staff working remotely. Schools across the country will remain closed for two weeks, while universities and colleges will temporarily move their classes online.

The prime minister urged wealthy citizens and business leaders to step forward and support underprivileged communities during the crisis, saying that strong nations stand together in times of hardship.

He also warned hoarders and profiteers not to exploit the situation, stressing that authorities will take strict action against anyone trying to manipulate prices or create artificial shortages.