Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s efforts to restore peace in the Middle East, saying regional instability had sent global oil prices soaring and created fresh challenges for the country’s energy supplies.
Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet, the premier said Pakistan remained actively engaged with Tehran and other regional stakeholders to promote peace and stability.
“Pakistan is playing its role as before in restoring peace in the region,” he said, referring to recent diplomatic engagements and cooperation under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
Pakistan Intensifies Regional Mediation
Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic efforts to facilitate peace between the United States and Iran.
Last month, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, visited Iran as part of Islamabad’s mediation initiative.
Pakistan, UK Express Concern Over Terrorist Groups Operating From Afghanistan
In October, another meeting under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement brought together Field Marshal Munir, the Saudi defence minister and the Turkish intelligence chief with senior Iranian officials in Tehran.
Last week, the military spokesperson described Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran as “cautiously optimistic”.
Government Absorbs Fuel Price Pressure
The prime minister also discussed the government’s response to rising petroleum prices, recalling that authorities had planned to increase fuel prices by Rs15 on Friday.
He said Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik had engaged refineries to absorb part of the financial burden through their windfall profits.
“We will not let a common man bear this burden,” Shehbaz said.
The premier also reviewed the fuel subsidy programme launched in September, confirming that it would continue until the end of December.
“Rs28 billion has been spent so far,” he said, describing the programme as “successfully and transparently” implemented.
He added that the Intelligence Bureau continued to monitor the scheme to ensure transparency.
LPG Imports to Promote Competition
Shehbaz Sharif said the government had ended the previous system of handling liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and was introducing transparent arrangements to improve supply and pricing.
“Now when LPG is imported, competition will be promoted and it will be auctioned in lots. The government will take the profits and subsidise it for the common man,” he said.
The prime minister said federal authorities were holding meetings around the clock to ensure adequate supplies of LPG, liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrol and natural gas ahead of winter.
He acknowledged that the closure of maritime routes had created additional difficulties for energy procurement.
LPG supplies have also faced disruptions following the closure of Iranian border crossings, pushing cylinder prices in the open market to nearly twice the official rate.
Federal Government Finalises Rs160bn KP Package
The prime minister further announced that the federal government had finalised a proposed Rs160 billion package for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, placing security at the centre of its priorities.
“Security is our number one, two and three priority in KP,” he said.
Shehbaz Sharif said counterterrorism operations continued in the province and pledged coordinated action involving law enforcement agencies, the provincial government and federal authorities.
“With the efforts of law enforcement agencies, the new government in KP and the support of the federal government, we will crush terrorism,” he said.
The cabinet meeting highlighted the government’s parallel focus on regional diplomacy, energy security, relief for consumers and counterterrorism as Pakistan navigates mounting economic and security challenges.
