Pakistan has announced a new round of austerity measures aimed at conserving fuel and public spending as disruptions in the Gulf push energy costs higher.
According to Reuters, the measures include reduced fuel allocations for official vehicles, a ban on new state vehicle purchases, limits on foreign travel by officials and restrictions on official dinners. Government meetings are also expected to rely more heavily on teleconferencing, while most durable-goods purchases are being restricted apart from IT procurement.
The measures come as Pakistan faces pressure from higher petrol and diesel prices and uncertainty around liquefied natural gas supplies. A separate fuel-subsidy programme for motorcycles, rickshaws and small cars has also been introduced to cushion some consumers from rising prices.