The Prime Minister’s review meeting convened in Islamabad today to evaluate the impact of the Gulf crisis on petroleum products and national reserves.
During the session, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the government strives to provide maximum relief to the weak and middle-class segments of society. Furthermore, he emphasized that the state will not abandon economically vulnerable citizens during this difficult period.
Relief Measures for Low-Income Groups
The meeting participants received a briefing on coordination with provincial governments to finalize the registration of motorcycles and rickshaws. Specifically, authorities are fast-tracking this process to ensure that these individuals benefit from upcoming relief measures. Consequently, the government aims to complete the ownership verification as quickly as possible.
The Prime Minister noted that the administration began its austerity drive by reducing official expenditures and cutting the development budget. For instance, the government immediately grounded 60% of official vehicles to conserve fuel. Additionally, the Prime Minister rejected proposals to increase oil prices, choosing instead to utilize savings from these cuts for public welfare.
KP Implements Remote Work Policy Amid Severe Fuel Crisis
Audit of Austerity and National Stocks
In addition to relief efforts, the review meeting examined a detailed audit report from the Intelligence Bureau regarding the implementation of the austerity campaign. The briefing confirmed that Pakistan currently maintains adequate fuel stocks to meet national requirements.
Furthermore, officials stated that while the levy on high-octane fuel for luxury vehicles has increased, the price of jet fuel remains unchanged.
The meeting also reviewed the availability of essential commodities. Specifically, authorities informed the cabinet that the country possesses a sufficient stockpile of medicines. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister highlighted that timely decisions have prevented any disruption in the national fuel supply chain despite the international crisis.
Diplomatic Initiatives and Attendance
Ultimately, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that Pakistan continues to exert full diplomatic effort on the regional peace front. The Prime Minister’s review meeting included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and federal ministers Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, and Muhammad Aurangzeb, alongside other senior officials. As a result of these deliberations, the participants submitted several proposals for future strategies to maintain economic stability.
