ISLAMABAD: The federal government is considering a “smart lockdown” as rising petroleum prices and the worsening Middle East crisis put pressure on the country’s economy, sources said on Tuesday.
A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reviewed several proposals aimed at reducing fuel consumption and limiting the impact of higher petroleum prices, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The government is considering closing markets for three days a week and reducing working hours as part of the proposed measures.
Four-day workweek under consideration
Sources said a four-day working week for public and private offices is also among the proposals being discussed.
Another option involves introducing a staff rotation system in government offices to reduce the number of employees commuting to workplaces at the same time.
The government is also considering keeping Friday, Saturday and Sunday as holidays under one proposal, with the aim of reducing transportation and overall mobility.
Sources said the federal government has decided to introduce a “petroleum smart lockdown”, although a final decision on the measures was expected later on Tuesday.
Govt says fuel supplies remain stable
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal said the government’s measures had helped ensure that petroleum products remained available in the country.
“There’s no supply issue in the near future when it comes to petrol and diesel,” Afzal said during Geo News programme Geo Pakistan.
He said the government did not anticipate a supply shock and added that the country was not experiencing electricity load-shedding because of an oil shortage.
How can you apply for Rs100-per-litre petrol relief?
PPP backs call to cut petrol prices
The issue of rising fuel prices also came under discussion in the Sindh Assembly, where a resolution seeking a reduction in petroleum prices was presented by PTI lawmaker Muhammad Owais.
The Pakistan Peoples Party, a coalition partner of the PML-N at the federal level, supported the resolution.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon called for the abolition of the petroleum levy, saying the rising cost of living had placed a heavy burden on salaried citizens.
Memon said the federal government was collecting more than Rs100 per litre in petroleum levy and urged it not to pass the burden of its policies on to the public.
Rs100 per litre petrol relief scheme
The government has already announced targeted relief for vulnerable consumers amid rising fuel prices.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched a scheme on Sunday offering a Rs100 per litre discount on petrol for motorcyclists, rickshaw and Chingchi owners and users of vehicles with engine capacities of up to 800cc.
Under the scheme, motorcycle, rickshaw and other two- and three-wheeler users can receive relief on up to 20 litres of petrol per month.
Owners and users of vehicles with engine capacities of up to 800cc are eligible for the discount on up to 30 litres per month.
The measures are part of the government’s efforts to cushion consumers from the impact of higher fuel prices amid continuing tensions in the Middle East.
