ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The provincial chief ministers opposed a smart lockdown across the country during a consultative meeting chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari, along with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Monday.
According to a statement by the President’s Secretariat, President Zardari held a consultative meeting with PM Shehbaz, federal and provincial leadership, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir in attendance, to review the economic, energy, and regional situation.
The meeting focused on coordination, fuel conservation, public relief, and mitigating the impact on the common man, the statement added.
According to the sources, the proposal to implement a smart lockdown across the country was considered.
The provincial chief ministers opposed the smart lockdown, while recommending that the federation not impose a lockdown and vowed to further tighten austerity measures.
Similarly, the meeting emphasized ensuring full implementation of measures to save energy and fuel, and provinces were urged to contribute to the relief package of Rs254 billion.
President Zardari’s statement
During the meeting, President Zardari directed that all possible measures should be taken to ease the burden of rising prices on the common man, especially for essential goods and services, in view of the recent oil and gas supply pressures, escalating energy costs, and the evolving regional environment.
It added that the meeting was briefed on the steps being taken by governments of the four provinces, as well as that of GB and AJK, to “manage price pressures, ensure the availability of essential supplies and mitigate the impact on the public, enabling a coordinated national response”.
The meeting also reviewed the broader regional situation and its potential effects on Pakistan’s security environment, economic outlook, and food security, it said.
“The meeting was assured that despite the global crisis, timely decisions have ensured no disruption to fuel supply, and that adequate fuel stocks are currently available to meet the country’s needs, with arrangements for the future also underway,” it added.
Government members said that despite the global crisis, there is no disruption in the supply of fuel in the country, the country has abundant reserves of oil and gas, and arrangements are underway for the future.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that proposals to increase oil prices were rejected, government spending has been reduced, and 60 percent of government vehicles have been immediately closed. He added that the funds generated from savings are being used for public relief.
On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar briefed the meeting about contacts and meetings with the leadership of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, and the meeting was also informed about the upcoming visit to Beijing.
