Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against the smuggling and illegal hoarding of petroleum products. He was chairing a review meeting in Islamabad regarding the petroleum products supply chain and austerity measures in light of the current regional situation.

According to Radio Pakistan, the meeting reviewed steps aimed at providing relief to low-income segments of society in the prevailing circumstances. The Prime Minister also instructed the relevant ministries to present final recommendations after consultation with the provinces. He emphasized that the Federal Government has taken significant measures over the past three weeks to provide relief to low-income groups and that these efforts will continue.

Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that the government has provided relief amounting to 129 billion rupees to the common man through cuts in the development budget, as well as various austerity and savings measures, to prevent an increase in oil prices. He stated that timely decisions by the Federal Government have ensured the availability of adequate stocks of petroleum products in the country to meet domestic demand.

The Prime Minister reiterated that providing relief to the public remains the government's top priority. The meeting was briefed that the demand and supply of petroleum products, along with the entire supply chain, are being regularly monitored through a digital dashboard.