Pakistan has scrambled to save its fuel reserves as oil prices soared past $100 per barrel for the first time in almost four years. The country's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, announced several oil-saving measures to deal with the ongoing worldwide fuel crisis, triggered by the US-Iran war.
The government has implemented a range of measures, including reducing the workforce by half, moving to a four-day workweek, and cutting government expenditure by 20 per cent for the next two months. Schools will remain closed for two weeks, while universities will move to online mode.
Cabinet members will not receive a salary for the next two months, and a ban has been imposed on unnecessary official foreign tours. Seminars and conferences will also be held in government buildings instead of hotels.
The measures come after the Pakistani government hiked fuel prices by 55 rupees on Saturday, to the country's highest-ever rate. Petroleum minister Ali Pervaiz Malik warned that prices could be adjusted weekly.
The private sector is advised to adopt work-from-home measures whenever possible and to avoid unnecessary events. District administrations have been directed to strictly monitor transport fares and take action against overcharging.
