Kolkata: Pakistan is being haunted by the spectre of fuel shortage. Amidst the military conflict between Iran and the US Israel combine, Islamabad is trying
to avert a full-blown fuel shortage crisis. The rising crude prices in the global markets have already sent retail prices of petrol and diesel soaring in Pakistan with a litre of both fuels jumping past Rs 325 Pakistan Rupee (PKR) last week itself, recording a rise of about 20%. Like India, Pakistan is critically dependent on crude supplies through the Strait of Hormuz which has been closed to oil tanker movements by Iran after the war erupted.
Apprehending a crisis, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced a few drastic measures. These are temporary closure of schools nationwide, the implementation of a four-day workweek in government offices and reduction in fuel allowances for government departments.
Closure of schools
On Monday the government announced that schools all over the country will be closed for two weeks from March 16. Institutions of higher education institutions will switch to online classes immediately to reduce physical movement. The administration hopes that this step will reduce consumption of petrol and diesel.
Four-day workweek
The Prime Minister also announced that government offices will be closed for three days a week to conserve fuel. Sharif announced that government offices will now operate only four days a week. But banks will be allowed to function as earlier. Government employees will be working from home for a week to reduce consumption of fuel.
The government also announced an immediate reduction of 50% of fuel allowances for all government departments. This will remain in effect for the next two months. Also, 50% of government staff will work from home and this will also help in curbing fuel consumption. About 60% of government department vehicles will be off the roads during this period.
All round austerity measures, salaries of MPs slashed
More decisions were taken on an emergency basis. The salary of all MPs will be reduced by 25%. There will be no foreign visits by ministers, advisors and government officials. There has been a ban on all government dinners and Iftar parties are also banned.
According to the government, there is need for all-around curb of expenditure. Since Islamabad relies heavily on imported fuel for its energy requirement, a surge in international oil prices or a disruption in supply impacts Pakistan’s economy severely. Therefore, the government is not only curbing fuel consumption but also cutting down on expenditure to meet the higher cost of crude oil.
