Islamabad, July 16, 2026(Kamran Raja): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday to review the potential impact of regional tensions on Pakistan’s economy and received a report on the implementation of the government’s austerity and conservation measures.
The Prime Minister observed that uncertainty in the regional situation persists and directed all relevant authorities to remain fully prepared to respond to any potential challenge. He emphasized that, by the grace of Allah, Pakistan’s economy is currently stable, while instructing the concerned ministries to formulate a comprehensive contingency plan to ensure timely and effective action should the need arise.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the people of Pakistan for their wholehearted support during the previous national austerity and conservation campaign. He particularly appreciated the public’s cooperation in reducing the consumption of petroleum products and energy, describing it as a valuable contribution to the country’s economic resilience.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the government’s timely and effective strategy had ensured efficient management of fuel supplies across the country. He noted that special measures were taken to protect the interests of ordinary citizens, motorcycle riders, rickshaw drivers, and transporters from the impact of rising fuel prices.
He further highlighted that the government’s subsidy had significantly mitigated the effects of increases in fuel prices, providing relief to the public and helping maintain economic stability.
The Prime Minister directed the relevant authorities, in coordination with provincial governments, to take strict action against those involved in creating an artificial shortage of petroleum products.
Referring to the evolving regional environment, the Prime Minister cautioned that any further escalation of tensions could have adverse implications for Pakistan’s economic outlook. He stressed that the spirit of austerity demonstrated by the nation during the previous campaign should now be adopted as a national practice to promote prudent use of resources and strengthen economic resilience.
During the meeting, participants were informed that Pakistan currently possesses sufficient petroleum reserves to meet domestic requirements and that comprehensive arrangements have been made to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies in the future.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Awais Khan Leghari, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmad, and senior government officials.