ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday renewed his call for austerity measures, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel as Pakistan manages fuel resources amid rising global oil prices linked to Middle East tensions.
Chairing a review meeting on fuel conservation, the prime minister said the country has sufficient petroleum stocks due to timely government decisions, while emphasising the need for public cooperation to sustain supply and reduce pressure on the system.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting reviewed ongoing measures aimed at fuel savings and demand management.
Fuel relief and price control measures
Officials informed the meeting that the government has allocated Rs125 billion through budgetary adjustments to prevent an increase in petroleum prices and shield consumers from global market volatility.
The prime minister noted that the government has provided relief over the past several weeks by absorbing rising costs instead of passing them on to consumers.
Earlier, he rejected a proposal to significantly increase fuel prices, stating that petrol and diesel are being sold at lower rates than their estimated market cost.
Call for public cooperation
Shehbaz Sharif urged citizens and institutions to support conservation efforts by reducing non-essential travel and increasing the use of teleconferencing in offices and workplaces.
He also directed provincial governments to facilitate motorcycle and rickshaw owners in registering vehicles in their own names, aiming to improve data digitisation and ensure access to future relief programmes.
Monitoring and supply management
Officials said petroleum supply, demand and distribution are being monitored through a digital system, while arrangements for fuel imports for April have already been finalised.
They added that Pakistan has avoided supply disruptions and long queues seen in some countries, attributing this to advance planning and coordination.
Smart lockdown proposal under consideration
Separately, government sources said proposals have been prepared to impose a weekend “smart lockdown” to manage energy consumption. The plan suggests restrictions on business activities from Saturday noon to Sunday night, while allowing essential services, transport and logistics operations to continue.
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The proposals are expected to be implemented following formal approval.
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