Chief Minister Shehbaz, federal ministers, senior military officials and provincial chief ministers are expected to attend.
A combined image of President Asif Ali Zardari (L) and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (R). Photo: Archive
ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari will chair a high-level meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr to discuss the current situation in the Middle East and Pakistan’s role as a mediator, sources said. The express PAkGazette on Mondays.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, key federal ministers, senior military officials and provincial chief ministers are expected to attend the session.
The agenda will include a detailed review of the Iran-US-Israel conflict and the latest developments, as well as the situation arising from the attacks on the Gulf countries, the sources said. The meeting will also review Pakistan’s oil reserves and supply chains, as well as the implementation of austerity measures, they added.
Participants are expected to receive information on possible “smart lockdowns” and other contingency measures, and provincial proposals in this regard are also being considered. Additionally, sources said key decisions on subsidies for motorcycle and rickshaw drivers are also expected during the session.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will also brief the participants on the outcomes of the meeting of foreign ministers of the four countries. Quadrilateral consultations involving foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt were held in Islamabad on Sunday as part of a coordinated effort by key Muslim countries to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Yesterday’s meeting concluded with initial discussions reportedly focused on proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. The foreign ministers of the three regional powers landed in Islamabad for the talks. The discussions came as Iran warned the United States against launching a ground attack and global oil prices soared amid ongoing fighting between Iran, the United States and Israel.
Read: Pakistan signals talks between Iran and US in ‘coming days’
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also announced on Sunday that Islamabad could host high-risk talks between Iran and the United States “in the coming days.”
The meeting will also assess Pakistan’s oil reserves and supply, review the implementation of austerity policies and consider possible smart lockdowns and related measures. Provincial suggestions on smart lockdowns will be evaluated and key decisions on subsidies for motorcycle and rickshaw drivers are also expected.
Sources said on Saturday that the federal government has finalized a comprehensive plan to impose a nationwide “smart lockdown” along with expanded austerity measures aimed at curbing energy consumption and managing the deepening fuel crisis caused by rising tensions in the Middle East.
The proposed plan combines targeted restrictions on public activity with structural changes to workplace operations, as authorities attempt to sustain economic activity while dramatically reducing demand for fuel and electricity.
Read more: Fuel crisis: government considers smart confinement
International crude oil prices have surpassed $100 per barrel amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, significantly increasing the import burden for energy-dependent economies. Earlier this month, the government increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel, raising petrol above Rs 321 per liter and diesel above Rs 335 per litre.
Officials say Pakistan’s heavy dependence on imported fuel has made it particularly vulnerable to external shocks, and rising oil prices are expected to hit foreign exchange reserves and widen the current account deficit.
