PM Shehbaz, federal ministers, senior military officials, and provincial chief ministers are expected to attend
A combination picture of President Asif Ali Zardari (L) and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (R). Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari will preside over a high-level meeting at the Aiwan-e-Sadr to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East and Pakistan’s role as a mediator, sources told The Express Tribune on Monday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, key federal ministers, senior military officials, and provincial chief ministers are expected to attend the session.
The agenda will include a detailed review of the Iran–US–Israel conflict and the latest developments, as well as the situation arising from attacks on Gulf countries, sources said. The meeting will also review Pakistan’s petroleum reserves and supply chains, as well as the implementation of austerity measures, they added.
Participants are expected to be briefed on potential “smart lockdowns” and other contingency measures, with provincial proposals on such lockdowns also under consideration. In addition, sources said key decisions regarding subsidies for motorcycle and rickshaw drivers are also expected during the session.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will also brief participants on the outcomes of the four-nation foreign ministers’ meeting. The quadrilateral consultations involving foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt were held in Islamabad on Sunday as part of a coordinated effort by key Muslim countries to bring an end to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Yesterday’s meeting concluded with initial discussions reportedly focused on proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. Foreign ministers from the three regional powers landed in Islamabad for the talks. The discussions came as Iran warned the US against launching a ground attack, and global oil prices surged amid continued fighting between Iran, the US, and Israel.
Read: Pakistan signals Iran-US talks in ‘coming days’
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also announced on Sunday that Islamabad could host high-stakes talks between Iran and the United States “in the coming days”.
The meeting will also assess Pakistan’s petroleum reserves and supply, review the implementation of austerity policies, and consider potential smart lockdowns and related measures. Provincial suggestions regarding smart lockdowns will be evaluated, and key decisions on subsidies for motorcycle and rickshaw drivers are also expected.
Sources said on Saturday that the federal government has finalised a comprehensive plan to impose a nationwide “smart lockdown” alongside expanded austerity measures aimed at curbing energy consumption and managing the deepening fuel crisis triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The proposed plan combines targeted restrictions on public activity with structural changes in workplace operations, as authorities attempt to sustain economic activity while sharply reducing fuel and electricity demand.
Read more: Fuel crisis: govt mulls smart lockdown
International crude oil prices have surged beyond $100 per barrel amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, significantly increasing the import burden for energy-dependent economies. Earlier this month, the government raised petrol and high-speed diesel prices, pushing petrol above Rs321 per litre and diesel beyond Rs335 per litre.
Officials say Pakistan’s heavy reliance on imported fuel has made it particularly vulnerable to external shocks, with rising oil prices expected to strain foreign exchange reserves and widen the current account deficit.
