Pakistanis suffocated due to gunpowder raining in Iran – Petrol becomes gold, relief from restrictions like Covid

Pakistan Oil Crisis: The impact of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and the sharp rise in oil prices is now Pakistan But it is also clearly visible. After the price of crude oil went above $100 per barrel, the Pakistan government has announced to take several big steps to save fuel. Under these steps, it has been decided to close schools for two weeks and open government offices only four days a week.

According to the report of news agency Reuters, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif gave information about the changes made in a press conference on Monday. Due to which it seems that Pakistan has again reached the Covid period.

What major changes did Pakistan make?

Shahbaz Sharif said that to save fuel, all government offices except banks will now open only four days a week. He said that after this week all schools will be closed for two weeks. Apart from this, studies in higher education institutions will be conducted through online medium.

The Prime Minister also said that except essential services, 50 percent of the employees in government departments will work from home. Along with this, it has been decided to reduce the fuel supplied to government departments by up to 50 percent during the next two months.

What changes were made for government vehicles?

Many more strict decisions have also been announced by the government. The fuel allowance of government vehicles will be reduced by 50 percent for the next two months, although vehicles connected to essential services like ambulances and public buses have been exempted from this. Apart from this, 60 percent of government vehicles in federal and provincial government institutions will be kept out of use for the next two months.

Was there a cut in salary?

The government has also decided that federal and provincial cabinet ministers will not take their salaries and allowances for the next two months. At the same time, the salary of members of the Federal and Provincial Assemblies will also be cut by 25 percent for two months.

Taking another step to reduce government expenditure, it has been said that those BS-20 grade officers in federal and provincial institutions, whose income is Rs 300,000 or more, will not be given two days’ salary. However, officials working in health and education sectors have been exempted from this decision.

Apart from this, non-employee related expenses of all federal and provincial government institutions will be reduced by 20 percent during the fourth quarter. Even in the public sector, 50 percent employees will work from home, while employees associated with essential services have been exempted from this. Public sector offices will also open only four days a week, but essential services and banking sector have been kept out of it.

What changes were made in the field of education?

Changes have also been made in the field of education. Online classes will be conducted in all higher education institutions from March 16 to March 31, while a two-week holiday has been declared in schools during the same period.

To limit government expenses, it has also been decided that government departments will not purchase vehicles, furniture, air conditioners and other items till June 2026. Along with this, foreign visits of ministers, advisors and government officials have also been banned, unless it is absolutely necessary in the interest of the country.

Why did oil prices affect Pakistan so much?

Actually, the main reason for fuel shortage in Pakistan is being said to be the increasing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. This crisis has arisen due to the ongoing war between America, Israel and Iran. Pakistan receives large quantities of oil through the Strait of Hormuz and due to the recent sanctions, it has had to drastically increase petrol prices.

Have oil prices increased in Pakistan?

In a late night press conference, the government announced an increase in the price of petrol by 55 Pakistani rupees, which is equivalent to about 18 rupees in Indian currency. It is being told that this increase is the highest in the history of Pakistan. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb were also present in this press conference.

Along with petrol, the prices of high-speed diesel have also been increased by about 20 percent. Earlier the price of diesel was 280.86 Pakistani rupees per liter, which has been increased to 335.86 Pakistani rupees per liter.