PM Shehbaz Sharif Urges Public to Avoid Unnecessary Travel

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again called on citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and actively support the government’s austerity drive, introduced in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis and rising global oil prices.

The appeal was made during a high-level meeting focused on fuel conservation, where the prime minister reviewed measures aimed at reducing energy consumption and maintaining economic stability. Officials confirmed that Pakistan currently has sufficient petroleum reserves due to timely decisions taken by the government.

Emphasizing public relief as a top priority, the premier noted that significant efforts have been made over the past weeks to ease financial pressure on citizens. To counter the impact of rising international oil prices, the government has allocated Rs125 billion through budget adjustments to prevent an increase in domestic fuel prices.

PM Shehbaz urged citizens to contribute by limiting non-essential travel and adopting alternatives such as teleconferencing in workplaces. These steps, he said, would help reduce fuel consumption and support national efforts to manage the crisis.

He also directed provincial authorities to simplify the registration process for motorcycle and rickshaw owners, enabling better data management and ensuring access to future relief programs.

Officials briefed the meeting on ongoing monitoring of the petroleum supply chain through a digital dashboard, confirming that fuel imports for the upcoming month have already been secured. They added that, unlike many countries, Pakistan has avoided fuel shortages and long queues due to effective planning.

In addition, authorities are working on a targeted fuel support initiative aimed at assisting motorcycle riders and rickshaw drivers, who are among the most affected by rising fuel costs.

Earlier, the prime minister rejected a proposal to significantly increase petrol and diesel prices despite global price surges. He revealed that petrol prices could have reached much higher levels but are being maintained at subsidized rates to protect the public.

The government’s ongoing strategy highlights a balance between economic management and public relief, while urging collective responsibility to navigate the current energy challenges.