Pakistan is considering reintroducing austerity measures in response to rising fuel prices due to renewed tensions between the US and Iran. Information Minister Ataullah Tarar announced at a press briefing that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed officials to review previous measures implemented earlier this year, such as reducing salaries for lawmakers and limiting fuel allowances for official vehicles. The government is also providing Rs 100 per litre in relief for smaller vehicle users while asking the deputy prime minister to ensure public transport fares do not increase despite high petrol prices at PKR 375.82 per litre and diesel at PKR 403.32 per litre.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Pakistan's government is considering reviving austerity measures initially introduced in March 9 to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices due to tensions between US and Iran. These earlier measures included a 50% cut in fuel allowances for official vehicles, salary reductions for lawmakers, and partial work-from-home policies for public sector employees. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed consultations on which of these previous austerity measures should be reinstated given the renewed hostilities and rising oil prices in the Middle East. The government previously ended these measures on June 19, but with fuel prices increasing again, officials are now evaluating their necessity to reduce national fuel consumption and financial strain.
Written for “Pakistani Austerity Measures” on 2026-09-14,
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No political leaning scored for article 9313 · logged 2026-09-14
Pakistan may bring back austerity measures to reduce fuel consumption as renewed fighting in West Asia drives up global oil prices, as news agency PTI cited Pak information minister Ataullah Tarar Monday.
uncertain
fighting → bring → Tarar
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif has directed officials to examine which of the measures introduced earlier this year can be brought back, Tarar said at a press briefing attended by information technology minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and petroleum minister Ali Pervaiz Malik.
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Tarar → direct → Khawaja
"Austerity measures previously taken... are being reviewed to assess which of the previous measures need to be revived in the present situation," Tarar said.
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Tarar → take → situation
Pakistan had introduced the measures on March 9 as oil prices surged during the US-Iran war.
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prices → introduce → war
The steps included halving fuel allowances for official vehicles, reducing lawmakers' salaries and allowing public sector employees to work from home for part of the week.
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employees → include → week
The measures were withdrawn in June after the US and Iran entered a peace process.
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US → withdraw → process
But renewed hostilities have once again pushed up international oil prices, putting pressure on fuel-importing countries such as Pakistan.
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hostilities → renew → Pakistan
Some restrictions, including shorter market hours, are already continuing, Tarar said.
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Tarar → include → hours
The government is facing the renewed pressure as petrol prices have climbed to PKR 375.82 per litre and high-speed diesel to PKR 403.32 per litre.
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prices → face → litre
To cushion the impact on smaller vehicle users, the government has announced a relief of Rs 100 per litre for motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqi three-wheelers and vehicles with engine capacities of up to 800cc.
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government → cushion → 800cc
Tarar said Sharif had asked deputy PM and foreign minister Ishaq Dar to make sure transport fares did not rise after the relief scheme was introduced.
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scheme → ask → Dar
