Pakistan's Prime Minister approves national campaign for austerity and fuel conservation

Islamabad, Sept 17 (KUNA) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a national campaign for austerity and fuel conservation on Thursday, amid rising fuel prices driven by developments in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister’s Office stated in a statement that this decision was made during a meeting chaired by Sharif in Islamabad to discuss austerity measures and energy conservation.

The statement noted that Sharif pointed out during the meeting that the rise in international oil prices has triggered a global wave of inflation, and in this context, directed the need to reduce “non-essential” government expenditures and the “wise” use of national resources.

It added that the meeting reviewed additional austerity measures aimed at reducing government spending, conserving fuel, and optimizing the use of government resources, with approval granted to cut fuel allocations for government vehicles by 50 percent for a period of three months.

The statement noted that this measure excludes ambulances, fire vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, and essential service vehicles, while no exceptions will be allowed for administrative or non-operational vehicles.

It was also decided to impose time restrictions on the operating hours of shops, markets, shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, food outlets, and other public commercial centers.

(END) S.B.K / M.A.A.