Prime Minister Shehbaz, federal ministers, senior military officials and provincial chief ministers are expected to attend
A combination photo of President Asif Ali Zardari (L) and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (R). Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari will chair a high-level meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East and Pakistan’s role as a mediator, sources said Express Pakinomist on Monday.
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 attacks on the Gulf countries, sources said. The meeting will also review Pakistan’s oil reserves and supply chains as well as the implementation of conservation measures, they added.
Attendees are expected to be briefed on potential “smart lockdowns” and other preparedness measures, with provincial proposals for such lockdowns also under consideration. Additionally, sources said key decisions regarding 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 results of the four countries’ foreign ministers’ meeting. The quadrilateral consultations, involving foreign ministers from 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 preliminary discussions that reportedly focused on proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. Foreign ministers from the three regional powers landed in Islamabad for the talks. The talks came as Iran warned the US against launching a ground attack and global oil prices rose amid continued fighting between Iran, the US and Israel.
Read: Pakistan signals Iran-US talks in ‘coming days’
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also announced on Sunday that Islamabad could host high-voltage talks between Iran and the US “in the coming days”.
The meeting will also assess Pakistan’s petroleum reserves and supply, review the implementation of conservation policies and consider potential smart shutdowns and related measures. Provincial proposals regarding smart shutdowns will be evaluated and important 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 extended austerity measures aimed at curbing energy consumption and dealing with the deepening fuel crisis triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The proposed plan combines targeted restrictions on public activity with structural changes to workplace operations as authorities try to maintain economic activity while sharply reducing fuel and electricity demand.
Read more: Fuel crisis: The government is considering smart lockdown
International crude oil prices have risen above 100 dollars per barrel. barrel amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, significantly increasing the import burden on energy-dependent economies. Earlier this month, the government hiked petrol and high-speed diesel prices, pushing petrol to over Rs321 per liter and diesel to over Rs335 per litre.
Officials say Pakistan’s heavy reliance on imported fuel has made it particularly vulnerable to external shocks, with rising oil prices expected to strain foreign reserves and widen the current account deficit.
