ISLAMABAD: The federal government is likely to impose a smart lockdown amid rising petroleum prices against the backdrop of a worsening Middle East crisis, with a final decision expected this evening, sources said on Tuesday.
A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reviewed various proposals concerning the rising prices of petroleum products, said the sources privy to the matter.
The government is considering a three-day closure of markets and reduced working hours under the proposed smart lockdown, they added.
A four-day working week has also been proposed for public and private offices as part of the austerity measures being considered, the sources said.
Under another proposal, government employees would work on a rotation basis to reduce the number of people commuting to workplaces.
The government is also considering holidays on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to reduce transportation and mobility.
Separately, Coordinator to the Prime Minister, Rana Ehsan Afzal, said the government’s measures have ensured there’s no shortage of petroleum products 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”.
“We don’t foresee supply shocks. We’re also not experiencing loadshedding due to [oil shortage]. We’re not in such a crisis [compared to other regional nations] because of the government’s management.”
This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.
