3 minutes of readingMarch 6, 2026 15:29 IST
The war in the Middle East seems to have made Pakistan nervous. Shehbaz Sharif’s government on Thursday agreed in principle to introduce weekly revisions in oil prices starting March 8, the Pakistani news website reported. Sunrise. The government is also considering measures, such as distance learning and working from home, to conserve fuel amid concerns about possible disruptions to oil supplies due to the Middle East war and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan’s treasury is also strained by its ongoing border conflict with Afghanistan.
The proposed national action plan was formulated in consultation with provincial governments during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee set up by Sharif to monitor oil prices in light of the evolving regional situation.
The plan will be presented to Prime Minister Sharif on Friday. Once reviewed and refined, the proposal will be presented to the federal cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee for approval and formal implementation.
Consecutive meetings scheduled
Given the urgency of the situation, consecutive meetings of the three forums are planned for Friday in that sequence. Sources said the contingency proposals were also discussed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
At Thursday’s Cabinet Committee meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, federal ministries and provincial authorities noted that the country had already faced a similar scenario during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Except for health-related precautions, many of the above measures, including remote work, distance education and carpooling, could be reintroduced from next week to reduce fuel consumption, save energy and foreign exchange, and relieve pressure on the national budget and public finances.
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What was discussed at the review meeting
According to an official statement, the meeting reviewed the developments in the energy sector and examined the country’s preparedness. The report says the panel acknowledged that the situation remains “fluid and uncertain,” requiring continued vigilance and careful planning as global supply chains and shipping routes face increasing risks and higher costs.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing efforts to strengthen supply security through diversified logistics and sourcing arrangements. The officials shared updates on diplomatic and trade engagements with friendly countries and partner suppliers aimed at securing additional supplies of crude oil and refined products through alternative routes and ports, including options outside high-risk corridors.
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