PM Shehbaz to Announce Govt Austerity Plan Tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to unveil a government austerity plan on Monday in response to the ongoing global fuel crisis triggered by the US/Israel-Iran conflict.

The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the plan was reviewed during a high-level meeting on Sunday, chaired by the prime minister. The government had already announced an increase of up to ₨55 per liter on petroleum products earlier this week in view of the regional energy shortage.

During the meeting, officials reported that Pakistan maintains adequate petrol and diesel reserves and has prepared precautionary measures to handle any supply disruptions. A contingency plan proposing work-from-home arrangements and distance learning had been prepared but was temporarily halted for further review.

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PM Shehbaz emphasized the sensible use of petroleum products during the crisis and stressed that austerity measures should be implemented fairly across all segments of society. He called on the elite and privileged classes to lead by example in adopting adjustments to support the nation.

The prime minister urged federal and provincial ministers, cabinet members, and government officials to actively participate in providing relief to the public and ensuring optimal use of resources. He assured that maximum relief would be extended to the masses once the situation stabilizes, while highlighting the importance of prudent management of fluctuating international oil prices.

Earlier, the government decided to start weekly revisions of petroleum prices from March 8 and implement energy-saving measures in response to potential disruptions in oil supply due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.