President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday chaired a high-level consultative meeting to review Pakistan’s economic outlook, energy situation and evolving regional security landscape, with top civil and provincial leadership in attendance.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, National Security Adviser Lt-Gen Asim Malik, federal ministers, and chief ministers of all four provinces, along with representatives from Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, participated in the session held at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

According to officials, the meeting focused on the Middle East crisis and its potential implications for Pakistan, alongside broader economic and energy challenges.

Participants stressed the need for a coordinated national strategy, highlighting consensus-building and institutional harmony as key to tackling multiple pressures.

As part of an austerity drive, the meeting decided to immediately take 60 per cent of government vehicles off the road to cut public expenditure. Provinces also presented their respective cost-cutting plans, with further decisions on fiscal discipline expected after consultations.

A proposal to impose a nationwide smart lockdown was discussed but did not gain provincial support. Chief ministers opposed the move and recommended against any blanket restrictions at the federal level.

The leadership underscored the importance of shielding citizens from inflationary pressures.

President Zardari called for enhanced public awareness and directed authorities to take all possible steps to reduce the burden of rising prices, particularly on vulnerable segments.

PM Shehbaz told the meeting that proposals to increase fuel prices had been repeatedly rejected. He said savings generated through austerity measures were being redirected towards public relief initiatives.

A briefing informed participants that despite global uncertainties, Pakistan’s fuel supply remains stable, with sufficient oil and gas reserves available and contingency planning underway for future needs.

Ishaq Dar also briefed the meeting on diplomatic engagements, including contacts with the leadership of Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and his upcoming visit to Beijing.

The meeting further directed authorities to launch a public awareness campaign aimed at reducing fuel consumption and promoting the use of public transport.

Participants concluded by reaffirming the need for a unified policy approach to safeguard Pakistan’s economic stability and security amid shifting regional dynamics.

This meeting followed a high-level consultative meeting chaired by President Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr last week, which was also attended by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and federal ministers.

According to officials, the leadership has agreed that economic management, energy planning, food security, and broader security considerations must remain closely aligned to effectively respond to current challenges.

The meeting concluded with participants reaffirming the need for a unified policy approach to safeguard Pakistan’s security and economic stability amid regional uncertainties.