reviews broader law and order situation, economic outlook and energy sector; PM takes stock of food supplies
President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday directed the government to minimize the burden of petroleum products to ease the common man.
According to a statement issued by the Presidential House on X, President Zardari met with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Aurangzeb and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik at Bhutto House, Naudero.
The finance and oil ministers briefed the president on economic indicators, the energy sector and government measures in response to rising oil prices.
President Asif Ali Zardari held a meeting with the Ministers of Interior, Finance and Petroleum where he reviewed the challenges of security, economy and energy. He emphasized strengthening border security, easing economic pressures and ensuring policies that reduce the burden on the common man. pic.twitter.com/gMb92TlGQL
— President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 23, 2026
President Zardari directed the ministers to prioritize public relief in economic policies taking into account the regional situation and stressed that the burden of oil prices should be minimized to help ordinary citizens.
They also reviewed the broader law and order situation, the economic outlook, the energy sector and the impact of fluctuations in oil prices.
The Home Secretary briefed the President on ongoing counter-terrorism operations and border security. The session also included a review of Pak-Afghan tensions and regional security challenges.
Also present at the meeting were PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Provincial Minister Nasir Hussain.
Earlier this month, the government hiked diesel and petrol prices sharply by Rs 55 per liter or 20% – marking the first of a series of similar hikes in the coming days due to the ongoing war between the US and Israel and Iran, which has disrupted supply chains and pushed crude oil prices to two-year highs.
Read more: Prime Minister Shehbaz says oil prices will remain unchanged
The increase in gasoline prices was more than the increase in the international market, as the government chose to collect more money than required from motorcyclists and car owners to subsidize the use of diesel, mainly by the public transport and agricultural sectors.
But a week later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the prices of petroleum products would not be increased despite a further rise in international oil prices.
