Directs provinces to facilitate bike, rickshaw registration for targeted relief.
LAHORE - As the ongoing confrontation between the United States and Iran fuels a global energy crisis and drives volatility in international oil markets, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said Pakistan had secured sufficient petroleum stocks and is actively cushioning citizens from the impact of rising global prices.
Chairing a high-level meeting held in Lahore through video link to review fuel conservation and austerity measures, the prime minister said the government had prioritised public relief despite mounting fiscal pressure, absorbing an estimated Rs125 billion cost to prevent an increase in domestic fuel prices.
DPM Dar, Saudi FM stress upon dialogue, engagement for lasting peace
The assurance from the prime minister comes at a time when fears of supply disruptions through key transit routes in the Gulf, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, have rattled global markets with several countries witnessing shortages, price hikes and long queues at fuel stations.
“Due to timely and prudent decisions, adequate petroleum supplies are available in the country,” the prime minister said, adding that the government had extended maximum possible relief to the public over the past three weeks.
Officials briefed the meeting that Pakistan’s fuel supply chain remains stable, supported by continuous monitoring through a digital dashboard, while arrangements for April’s petrol imports have already been finalised. In contrast to several countries struggling with supply disruptions, Pakistan has so far avoided panic buying and administrative breakdowns, reflecting what officials described as effective crisis management. The prime minister called on citizens to support the national fuel conservation drive by limiting unnecessary travel and promoting teleconferencing in workplaces.
Azerbaijan says it is ready to supply LNG to Pakistan
The meeting further reviewed a proposed fuel support programme for two-wheeler and rickshaw users, including a dedicated mobile application developed to streamline disbursement.
The prime minister directed provincial governments to facilitate motorcycle and rickshaw owners in registering their vehicles in their own names, saying the move would help create a digitised database and enable targeted relief initiatives in the future.
Prime Minister Sharif instructed authorities to enhance coordination with chief secretaries of all provinces, as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, to ensure uniform implementation of policy measures.
Work from home announced for Red Zone federal offices on April 22
The meeting, held via video link, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Owais Khan Leghari, Special Assistant Tariq Bajwa, Governor State Bank Jameel Ahmad, and other senior officials.
GOVT MAKING EFFORT TO MITIGATE IMPACT OF ME CONFLICT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the government is making every effort to mitigate the impact of ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Rawalpindi opt to set target against in-form Multan in crucial PSL clash
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he said, “Today’s Earth Hour offers a solemn opportunity to do our bit for Planet Earth – our most precious resource.
“Energy conservation is in keeping with our obligations as guardians of nature. It is also an imperative given the economic pressures arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Every unit of energy saved brings relief to households across Pakistan, he added.
He said, “I encourage all Pakistanis to participate in Earth Hour today.”
Fake medicines alert issued after dangerous drugs found in Punjab