PM orders ‘nationwide readiness’ as regional tensions put economy on alert

• Premier Shehbaz directs authorities to remain fully prepared for any fallout from evolving regional uncertainty

• Says Pakistan has adequate petroleum reserves, commending govt's timely fuel management strategy

• Orders strict action against hoarding and artificial shortages of petroleum products across country

• Lauds public support for austerity and energy conservation drive, calling for nationwide adoption of simplicity

• Meets ANP chief Aimal Wali Khan to discuss political landscape and security situation in KP, Balochistan

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed all relevant authorities to remain fully prepared to deal with any potential challenges arising from the prevailing regional uncertainty, while praising the public for its wholehearted support of the government's austerity measures and fuel conservation campaign aimed at safeguarding the national economy.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review the impact of regional tensions on the country's economy, the prime minister said that, by the grace of Allah, Pakistan's economy remained stable despite the evolving regional situation. However, he stressed the need to formulate a comprehensive strategy to ensure timely and effective responses to any emerging challenges.

اسلام آباد: 16 جولائی 2026.

وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیرِ صدارت خطے میں کشیدگی کے ملکی معیشت پر اثرات کا جائزہ اجلاس منعقد ہوا جس میں سادگی و کفایت شعاری کے اقدامات پر رپورٹ پیش کی گئی. وزیرِ اعظم نے اجلاس میں ہدایت کی کہ خطے کی صورتحال میں غیر یقینی برقرار ہے، ہر ممکنہ… pic.twitter.com/GTdp6LMW0X

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) July 16, 2026

The meeting was informed that the country currently possessed sufficient petroleum reserves to meet domestic requirements and that measures had already been put in place to ensure an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products in the coming months.

Prime Minister Shehbaz commended the government's timely and effective strategy, saying it had ensured the smooth management of the country's fuel supply situation despite regional uncertainty.

وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیرِ صدارت خطے میں کشیدگی کے ملکی معیشت پر اثرات کا جائزہ اجلاس، سادگی و کفایت شعاری کے اقدامات پر رپورٹ پیش

اجلاس کو بریفنگ میں بتایا گیا کہ ملکی ضروریات کے مطابق پیٹرولیم مصنوعات کے وافر ذخائر موجود ہیں اور مستقبل کیلئے اسکی فراہمی کو یقینی بنا… pic.twitter.com/yfpPtMYQW1

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 16, 2026

He noted that the government had protected the interests of the common man, including motorcyclists, rickshaw drivers and transporters, adding that state subsidies had helped cushion the impact of any increase in fuel prices.

The prime minister directed the relevant authorities, in close coordination with provincial governments, to take strict action against elements involved in creating an artificial shortage of petroleum products in the market.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے معروف دانشور، مصنف اور کالم نگار ڈاکٹر فاروق عادل کی ملاقات

وزیراعظم نے ڈاکٹر فاروق عادل کی علمی و ادبی کاوشوں اور پاکستان اور ترکیہ کے عوام کے درمیان ہم آہنگی کو فروغ دینے میں کردار کو سراہا۔ pic.twitter.com/KbHSUDh6pO

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 16, 2026

Recalling the government's earlier austerity drive, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people for their active participation in making the campaign a success and urged the nation to continue embracing the same spirit of simplicity and responsible consumption.

"Just as the people extended full support during the previous simplicity campaign, austerity must now be embraced at the national level," he said.

He also appreciated the public's cooperation in the nationwide campaign for the conservation of petroleum products and energy, describing it as a valuable contribution towards strengthening the country's economic resilience.

Warning that any further escalation in regional tensions could adversely affect Pakistan's economic outlook, the prime minister underscored the importance of vigilance, preparedness and close coordination among all relevant institutions to effectively respond to any unforeseen situation.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervaiz Malik and Awais Khan Leghari, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmed, and senior government officials.

 PM meets ANP President Senator Aimal Wali Khan

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met Awami National Party (ANP) President Senator Aimal Wali Khan at the Prime Minister's Office, where the two leaders discussed the country's political situation as well as the security challenges facing Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a Prime Minister's Office news release.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے عوامی نیشنل پارٹی کے صدر، سینیٹر ایمل ولی خان کی ملاقات

ملاقات میں سیاسی امور، بلوچستان اور خیبر پختونخوا میں سیکیورٹی کی صورتحال پر تبادلۂ خیال کیا گیا۔ pic.twitter.com/1mso5MZEL9

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 16, 2026

 PM lauds Dr Farooq Adil's role in strengthening Pakistan-Türkiye ties

In a separate meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended renowned scholar, author and columnist Dr Farooq Adil for his outstanding literary and intellectual contributions, particularly his efforts to promote stronger cultural and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Türkiye.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے چیئرمین قومی رحمت اللعالمین و خاتم النبیین اتھارٹی خورشید احمد ندیم کی ملاقات
ملاقات میں خورشید احمد ندیم نے وزیراعظم کو قومی رحمت اللعالمین و خاتم النبیین اتھارٹی کی سالانہ رپورٹ پیش کی pic.twitter.com/1ZxxOX0Lpu

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 16, 2026

During the meeting at the Prime Minister's Office, Dr Farooq Adil presented his travelogue, "Shakh-e-Zareen ke Dayen Bayen" (On Both Sides of the Golden Branch), to the prime minister, according to a Prime Minister's Office news release.