Govt decides in principle to implement work-from-home, distance learning for fuel conservation

ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday decided in principle to start weekly revisions for petroleum prices effective from March 8 and to implement measures such as distance learning and work-from-home for the conservation of fuel amid possible oil supply disruptions due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The national action plan was crystallised in consultation with the provinces at a meeting of the cabinet committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for monitoring petrol prices due to the regional situation.

The action plan will be presented to PM Shehbaz on Friday. Subject to his clearance and fine-tuning, it will then be taken up by the federal cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee for formal approval and implementation.

Back-to-back meetings of the three forums are scheduled for Friday, in that order, given the urgency of the matter. According to informed sources, the contingency measures had also been discussed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

During the meeting of the cabinet committee for monitoring petrol prices on Thursday, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, federal ministries and provincial governments emphasised that they had faced a similar situation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Barring health-related precautions, almost all the contingency actions, including work-from-home, distance learning, and car-pooling, could be revived from next week to save fuel, energy and foreign exchange and minimise financial pressure on the budget and public purses.

Meanwhile, according to an official handout, the meeting also reviewed developments in the energy sector and assessed national preparedness measures amidst the evolving regional and global energy situation, undertaking a detailed review of petroleum product stock positions across the country.

“In line with broader preparedness planning, the committee examined a phased menu of fuel conservation measures drawing on institutional protocols implemented during prior national emergencies to support demand management if needed, while carefully calibrating communications to avoid........

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