Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the relevant authorities to coordinate closely with provincial governments and take strict action against those involved in creating an artificial shortage of petroleum products.
Chairing a meeting in Islamabad today to review austerity measures amid the evolving economic situation, the prime minister said uncertainty in the region persisted and called for full preparedness to address any possible challenges effectively.
He said the country’s economy was currently stable but instructed the authorities to formulate a comprehensive contingency plan to ensure timely action if circumstances required it.
Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the public’s wholehearted cooperation during the previous national austerity campaign, particularly in conserving petroleum products and energy, and thanked the people for their support.
He said the government’s timely and effective strategy had ensured the smooth management of the country’s fuel supply while protecting the interests of the common man, motorcyclists, rickshaw drivers and transporters.
The prime minister added that the subsidy provided by the government had effectively reduced the impact of rising fuel prices on the public.
He observed that prolonged regional tensions could have adverse implications for Pakistan’s economy in the future. He stressed that the spirit of austerity and prudent use of resources should now be adopted nationwide, just as the public had actively supported the previous austerity drive.
The meeting was informed that sufficient stocks of petroleum products were available to meet the country’s requirements and that arrangements had already been made to ensure uninterrupted supplies in the future.
