The government of Pakistan is preparing to introduce new measures under its fuel conservation policy, including early market closures aimed at reducing electricity consumption.
Officials are planning to enforce market shutdowns at 8:00 p.m. starting April 6. The policy is intended to shift business activity to daytime hours in order to conserve energy.
Before implementation, the federal government will consult with provincial administrations. Final approval is expected through consensus among Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the four provincial chief ministers, and military leadership.
The move comes amid global fuel supply disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. These tensions have driven fuel prices to record levels worldwide.
In response, Pakistan has adopted several austerity measures to maintain fuel supply. These include closing schools on Saturdays and restricting the use of government vehicles to reduce fuel consumption.
At the same time, the government has announced a sharp increase in fuel prices. Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik, alongside Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, confirmed that petrol will now cost Rs. 458.40 per liter, while diesel has been set at Rs. 520.35 per liter.
This represents an increase of Rs. 138 per liter for petrol and Rs. 184 per liter for diesel, pushing prices to historic highs. The rise has raised concerns about a new wave of inflation across the country.
