Pakistan plans fuel saving steps after oil jump sparks panic
The Straits Times
Steps include reducing workforce by half along with moving to a four-day week. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s government has implemented fuel-saving measures after oil surged above US$100 and gas output from the Middle East was disrupted, triggering panic buying in the import-reliant South Asian nation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced more than one dozen austerity measures on March 9 to deal with the current global fuel crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.
Steps include reducing workforce by half along with moving to a four-day week.
For the next two months, government expenditure will be reduced by 20 per cent and fuel allocated to vehicles of government departments will be reduced by half.
“The regional situation and war has affected our hard-gained economic stability but the government is making every effort to prevent burdening the common man,” Mr Sharif said in an address to the nation.
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