Sufficient petroleum products available to meet national demand: PM

• Premier Shehbaz assures stable fuel supply, cites timely govt measures amid global tensions

• Says Rs125b allocated through savings and development cuts to protect citizens

• Says fuel supply closely monitored via digital dashboard as April imports already arranged

• Says proposed mobile app to provide targeted fuel support to riders and small transport owners

 LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday assured that Pakistan has sufficient petroleum supplies to meet national needs, crediting timely government measures for maintaining stability in the fuel sector amid ongoing regional tensions, state media reported.

Chairing a review meeting on the implementation of fuel conservation and austerity measures, the Prime Minister said that providing relief to the public remained the government’s top priority. Over the past three weeks, the federal government has extended the maximum possible relief, said a statement issued from the Prime Minister’s Office, quoting Premier Shehbaz as saying.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیرِ صدارت خطے کی صورتحال کے پیشِ نظر ایندھن کی بچت اور کفایت شعاری کے لیے جاری اقدامات کے نفاذ پر جائزہ اجلاس

اجلاس کو بتایا گیا کہ پٹرولیم مصنوعات کی طلب و رسد اور پورے سپلائی چین کی باقاعدگی سے نگرانی کی جا رہی ہے اور اس سلسلے میں ایک ڈیجیٹل ڈیش… pic.twitter.com/j2NRJclnfZ

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) March 29, 2026

Highlighting proactive fiscal measures, PM Shehbaz stated that Rs125 billion had been allocated through savings and development budget cuts to prevent an increase in oil prices and protect citizens from global market fluctuations.

Lahore: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting to review implementation of fuel conservation and austerity measures. pic.twitter.com/16saF7HoB4

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) March 29, 2026

During the meeting, participants urged citizens to support the government’s conservation campaign by avoiding unnecessary travel and utilizing teleconferencing facilities at workplaces to reduce fuel consumption.

The Prime Minister also directed provincial authorities to facilitate motorcycle and rickshaw owners in registering vehicles in their own names. This step, he said, would help digitize records and enable vehicle owners to benefit from future relief programs. Additionally, PM Shehbaz instructed officials to enhance coordination with Chief Secretaries of all provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan to ensure smooth implementation of policies.

Officials briefed the meeting on the progress of austerity and conservation measures, noting that demand and supply of petroleum products, along with the entire supply chain, were being closely monitored through a digital dashboard. Arrangements for petrol imports for April had already been finalized.

They emphasized that unlike several other countries, Pakistan was not witnessing long queues or fuel shortages, reflecting the effectiveness of government measures. “Timely decisions have helped maintain stability in the oil situation,” officials said.

A briefing was also presented on a proposed fuel support program for motorcycle riders and rickshaw drivers, which includes a dedicated mobile application to streamline distribution and benefits.

The meeting was attended via video link by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Dr Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Owais Khan Leghari, Special Assistant Tariq Bajwa, State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad, and other senior officials.