ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a review meeting today to assess the implementation of fuel-saving measures and austerity initiatives in response to the current regional situation. The meeting focused on the government’s actions to ensure a sufficient petroleum supply while minimizing costs and providing relief to the public.
During the session, the Prime Minister affirmed that, due to government decisions, the country has adequate petroleum reserves to meet domestic demands. He emphasized that providing relief to the public has been the government’s top priority, especially in light of rising global energy costs.
In the past three weeks, we have prioritized public relief to the best of our ability, stated PM Shehbaz, highlighting the government’s financial interventions to prevent a spike in fuel prices. He noted that the federal government allocated a significant amount of 125 billion rupees through savings and budget cuts in development funds to shield the public from the direct effects of global tensions on fuel prices.
The Prime Minister urged the public to actively participate in the ongoing energy-saving campaign by avoiding unnecessary travel and opting for teleconferencing instead of commuting to work. He also called on provincial governments to facilitate the registration of motorcycles and rickshaws in the names of their owners in order to digitize vehicle data. This initiative is expected to help owners benefit from future government relief programs.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz directed relevant authorities to expedite communication with the Chief Secretaries of all provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The session included a briefing on the progress of austerity and savings measures, with updates indicating that petroleum supply and demand, as well as the entire supply chain, are being closely monitored. A digital dashboard has been established to keep track of the situation. It was also reported that arrangements for the import of petrol for April have been made.
PM Shehbaz noted that, unlike other countries, Pakistan has not experienced long queues or mismanagement in fuel supply, which he attributed to the government’s effective administration. He assured that timely governmental actions have efficiently managed the oil situation in the country.
Additionally, a briefing was provided on the proposed Fuel Support Program for motorcycle riders and rickshaw drivers, with plans to develop a new app to facilitate the program.
This comprehensive review meeting underscores the government’s proactive approach to managing energy resources amid challenging global circumstances and ensuring that the Pakistani public remains protected from the impact of rising global energy prices.
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