Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed that achieving economic stability and providing timely relief to the public remain the government’s core objectives. Chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad, the Prime Minister emphasized that his administration is taking proactive steps to build long-term economic resilience while shielding citizens from the fallout of ongoing regional and global uncertainties. He credited “timely and strategic” policy decisions for ensuring that Pakistan maintains adequate petroleum stocks despite the volatility in international energy markets.
To ensure transparency in the energy sector, the Prime Minister issued strict directives to petroleum distribution companies to adhere to government-fixed prices. A key digital intervention introduced during the meeting is the enhancement of the Pak App, which now features a dedicated portal for consumers to report fuel shortages or overpricing. This real-time reporting mechanism is intended to prevent hoarding and ensure fair access to petroleum products across the country. Additionally, the Prime Minister was briefed that current inventories are sufficient to meet national requirements for the coming weeks, with March supplies fully secured.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the national austerity drive. The Prime Minister confirmed that existing savings measures, including voluntary salary foregone by cabinet members and a 50 percent cut in fuel allowances for official vehicles, are yielding positive results. To ensure these measures are implemented in their true spirit, the Prime Minister has ordered a third-party audit, tasked to the Intelligence Bureau (IB), to monitor compliance and prevent the misuse of official resources.
Key cabinet members, including Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, attended the session, where they were instructed to remain prepared for emergency interventions should global conditions shift further. The government’s multi-pronged approach—combining digital monitoring via the Pak App, rigorous auditing of expenses, and strategic reserve management—underscores its commitment to maintaining a stable retail environment and ensuring the uninterrupted availability of essential commodities for the public.
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