Islamabad: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has said federation and provinces should suspend what projects they can suspend.
" second month of war has started in the region.. We have employed full efforts to cool flames. Federation and the provinces should stop what projects they can stop.
He said this while presiding over a high level meeting over the prevailing regional situation here Thursday.
The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chief ministers of all provinces including Gilgit-Baltistan, and members of the federal cabinet.
He stated Pakistan is making efforts to stop the war. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir are playing key role in this regard.
Like other countries Pakistan too is being affected in recent war. Our team held meeting and made consultation with chef ministers of four provinces before commencement of war. 60 percent vehicles were stopped.
We are facing enormous challenges due to war, he said.
Peace will prevail in the region at every cost. Economic stability will come through political stability. Arrangements have been made for passing 20 Pakistani flagged ships through strait of Hormuz. The challenge was assessed through collective and full efforts and timely steps were taken .
We appreciate role of president Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto, chief ministers and parliamentarians in austerity drive. Cabinet surrendered two months salaries voluntarily. Parliamentarians ensured saving of the oil. Federation has made cut of Rs 100 billion in PSDP in previous 3 weeks.
PM said the chief ministers gave assurance of their cooperation to face war challenges. We have to provide protection to the poor and the elite have to demonstrate sacrifice in hard time.
Federation and provinces should stop whatever projects of national development and prosperity they can stop.
Funds should be saved and be spent on providing protection to the poor. We are focusing on providing protection to the weak and poor segments of society. Overcoming inflation is among our priorities.
Earlier the meeting under PM Shehbaz Sharif deliberated over possible energy crisis in the perspective of ongoing tension in the region.
Briefing was given on proposed steps of government regarding austerity and energy saving.
As per sources important matters related to prices of petroleum products came under consideration in the meeting.
The federal government demanded of provinces to contribute to subsidy on petroleum products.
Shifting the full burden of hike in the prices of petroleum products to consumers also came under consideration.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefed participants on his recent visit to China and updated them on Pakistan's mediation efforts regarding potential talks between Iran and the United States.