Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against the smuggling and illegal hoarding of petroleum products. He was chairing a review meeting in Islamabad today regarding the petroleum products supply chain and austerity measures in light of the current regional situation. The meeting reviewed steps aimed at providing relief to low-income segments of society in the prevailing circumstances. The Prime Minister also instructed the relevant ministries to present final recommendations after consultation with the provinces. He said the Federal Government has taken significant measures over the past three weeks to provide relief to low-income groups and that efforts in this regard will continue. Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that the government has provided relief amounting to 129 billion rupees to the common man through cuts in the development budget, as well as various austerity and savings measures, to prevent an increase in oil prices. He said timely decisions by the Federal Government have ensured the availability of adequate stocks of petroleum products in the country to meet domestic demand. The Prime Minister reiterated that providing relief to the public remains the government’s top priority. The meeting was briefed that the demand and supply of petroleum products, along with the entire supply chain, are being regularly monitored through a digital dashboard.