PM urges Centre, provinces to jointly provide relief amid global oil crisis

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the federal and provincial governments needed to align their priorities and work together to extend relief to vulnerable segments amid a global oil crisis triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran.

He made the remarks during a high-level meeting attended by Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, the chief ministers of all four provinces and federal ministers.

The prime minister said the Centre and provinces should use their resources prudently, reduce development spending as much as possible and direct funds towards agriculture-related measures.

“We have to spend this money on public goods and transport. Now we have to set our priorities jointly,” he said.

Shehbaz also referred to the government’s steps aimed at shielding the economy and the public from the fallout of the international oil situation.

In his comments, the premier said Pakistan, like many other countries, was being badly affected by the conflict.

“being severely affected by this war”

He said that after the country had attained macroeconomic stability, the period for growth and prosperity had begun, but the war had created major economic challenges.

“time for prosperity and development had arrived but unfortunately, as a result of this war, we are facing unlimited economic difficulties”

The prime minister said two Pakistani ships that had been waiting to move through the Strait of Hormuz were able to cross due to efforts by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces Munir.

He added that arrangements had also been made in recent days for 20 additional Pakistani-flagged vessels to pass through the strait, and said further progress was expected in the coming days.

“In recent days, arrangements were made for 20 more Pakistani-flagged vessels”

Shehbaz also recalled that shortly after the conflict began, his teams held separate meetings with the provincial chief ministers. He said it was then decided to pass on an increase of Rs55 in petroleum prices.

He also spoke about austerity measures taken by the government and specifically thanked PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for, in his words, showing strong interest in the matter. He also mentioned President Asif Ali Zardari for holding meetings.

The prime minister said the government had provided broad support over the previous three weeks, with the federal government contributing Rs129 billion. He added that a Rs100bn reduction had been made in the Public Sector Development Programme, and those savings were transferred to an account from which the Centre met the expenses.

“We gave a blanket cover in these three weeks, and regarding this, the Centre contributed Rs129bn. We made a Rs100bn cut in the Public Sector Development Programme and we added the savings into the account, from which the Centre bore the expenses,” he said.