Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said that ensuring an uninterrupted availability of petroleum products remains the government’s foremost priority as authorities monitor the evolving regional situation.

Presiding over a meeting of the committee formed to monitor petrol prices in light of the emerging regional situation, Aurangzeb said the government was closely watching developments and stood ready to take timely measures to safeguard national energy security.

The committee was constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review fuel supply and pricing amid volatility in international markets.

Aurangzeb said the body was monitoring developments on a daily basis and would take coordinated steps to ensure stability in domestic markets and protect national energy supplies.

The committee also emphasised the need to prevent hoarding, diversion or smuggling of petroleum products during periods of global uncertainty.

Officials directed relevant authorities to maintain heightened vigilance and strengthen coordination with provincial governments to ensure that domestic fuel supplies remain secure.

It was also decided that the chief secretaries of all provinces would participate in the committee’s meeting on Friday to discuss the final summary and a proposed national action plan.

The committee will continue its deliberations to finalise a comprehensive national strategy in coordination with all stakeholders, the finance minister said.