ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was told on Thursday that the country holds sufficient petroleum reserves to meet national demand, with additional stockpiles being proactively arranged. In a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister, officials reviewed fuel conservation and austerity measures in light of the rapidly deteriorating regional situation. The briefing provided a detailed overview of the country’s current petroleum reserves, consumption patterns, and logistics to ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply. Officials emphasised that the prime minister’s timely directives had enabled the government to establish robust arrangements to safeguard these reserves. READ MORE: POL products: Aurangzeb signals price hike ahead Highlighting the volatility in the Middle East and the wider region, which could significantly disrupt fuel supply lines, officials stressed the need for further conservation measures in the coming days. In response, the prime minister directed provincial governments to collaborate in developing a comprehensive contingency plan to manage potential emergencies effectively. The meeting also reviewed progress on the implementation of austerity and fuel-saving measures across federal departments. Sharif noted that these initiatives had already provided tangible relief to the public and called for strict enforcement of his directives, with oversight conducted by the Intelligence Bureau (IB). “Government officials must lead by example, embracing the spirit of sacrifice and austerity,” the prime minister said. He also appealed to the public to adopt fuel-saving practices, stressing that such measures were essential to prevent any disruption in petroleum supply. An official communiqué issued after the meeting underscored the importance of anticipating every possible scenario and adapting responses to evolving circumstances. Recommended measures included carpooling, collective transportation, and limiting unnecessary travel until conditions stabilise. All relevant institutions were instructed to remain ready for emergency operations. Monitoring of the situation continues, with meticulous record-keeping of petroleum products to ensure any irregularities are promptly identified and addressed, officials added. The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Staff and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Shah, National Security Adviser Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik, Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik, Minister for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kiani, alongside other senior government officials. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026