ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan’s top civilian and military leadership on Thursday stressed the need for national consensus and closer institutional coordination to tackle new regional challenges as the country faces pressure from rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainty.
A high-level consultative meeting chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr reviewed the evolving economic and energy situation against the backdrop of oil supply constraints, rising oil prices and regional security developments, according to a statement issued by the presidency.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the meeting along with senior cabinet members and economic officials.
The participants included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PPP Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Finance Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and the Finance Secretary.
The meeting reviewed fluctuations in global oil and gas supplies and their impact on Pakistan’s economy, with particular focus on controlling inflation and ensuring energy security.
The finance and oil ministers briefed participants on measures to stabilize oil prices, manage spillover effects of rising fuel costs across economic sectors and enforce fiscal discipline through austerity measures aimed at reducing expenditure pressures.
The wider regional situation also came up for discussion, including the implications for Pakistan’s security, economic outlook and food security. Participants agreed that economic governance, energy planning, food security and broader security considerations must remain closely aligned to address the challenges ahead.
The meeting stressed the importance of maintaining national consensus and strengthening institutional coordination, stressing that political decisions must prioritize stability while protecting public interests.
Officials also highlighted the need for public awareness campaigns to reduce fuel consumption, encourage the use of public transport and promote carpooling systems.
