Pakistan orders austerity as Gulf conflict raises fuel prices
Thursday, 17 September 2026 17:30
Pakistan announced new austerity measures on Thursday to conserve energy and reduce fuel use as Gulf conflict-related disruptions push up fuel prices and threaten supplies.
Al-Monitor reported that the measures include a cut in fuel for official vehicles and bans on state vehicle purchases, foreign visits by officials and official dinners.
The government also barred purchases of durable goods except IT procurement and directed officials to use teleconferencing for meetings. Pakistan faces possible gas and power shortages as the conflict disrupts LNG supplies and drives up petrol and diesel prices.
The measures are the second such package in 2026. In March, Pakistan introduced similar steps, closing schools for two weeks, reducing fuel use across government and pushing office workers to work more from home to conserve fuel and cut spending.
A separate fuel relief policy began Wednesday, offering motorcycle, rickshaw and small-car owners a subsidy of 100 rupees, or 36 U.S. cents, per litre on a capped monthly quota to ease rising prices.
Support nwsTrail
nwsTrail is an independent global news site. Your support helps keep the content free and independent.
