Pakistan’s Christian community has cautiously supported the government’s austerity measures introduced to address the fuel crisis and economic fallout of the ongoing war in neighbouring Iran.

 On March 9, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a nationwide austerity plan, describing it as a “difficult decision” necessitated by rapidly rising global oil prices. “Global oil prices are not in Pakistan’s hands,” the prime minister said during a televised address to the nation.

 The crisis in Iran has triggered an energy shock in the region, with fuel prices in Pakistan reportedly increasing by about 20 percent within a week.

 A Christian schoolteacher, said the situation requires urgent and decisive action. “Handling the crisis is essential, so the government has to take some drastic measures,” he said.

 Under the new plan, public sector offices will operate four days a week. Essential services such as banks, hospitals and certain other sectors will continue normal operations. Fifty........

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