Pakistan’s top civil-military leadership on Thursday endorsed a unified policy approach through consensus and institutional coordination to protect the country’s security, economy and food supply as the Iran war triggered by the U.S. and Israel persists.
Chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the high-level meeting reviewed the evolving economic and energy situation in the backdrop of oil supply constraints and rising petroleum prices, alongside regional security developments. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir also attended the meeting.
Other senior participants included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik.
The meeting’s participants reviewed the impact of fluctuations in global oil and gas supplies and prices on Pakistan’s economy, with particular focus on managing inflationary pressures and ensuring energy security. According to the Presidency’s statement, the finance and petroleum ministers briefed the meeting on ongoing measures to stabilize petroleum prices, manage the effects of rising fuel costs on other sectors of the economy and enforce fiscal discipline through austerity measures.
The participants also discussed the broader regional situation, including its implications for Pakistan’s security, economic outlook and food security.
The meeting stressed on the need for a coordinated national response, noting policy decisions must prioritize stability while safeguarding the interests of the public. It also underscored the importance of maintaining national consensus and strengthening institutional coordination in view of emerging regional challenges.
The participants agreed on the need for alignment between economic management, energy planning, food security and broader security considerations to meet the challenging situation. They also called for raising public awareness to reduce fuel consumption, encourage the use of public transportation and promote shared ride systems.