Afghanistan, Sept. 18 -- Pakistan has announced a new nationwide austerity campaign, including a 50% cut in fuel allocations for official vehicles, a ban on government vehicle purchases and restrictions on foreign travel by public officials, as the country seeks to reduce energy consumption amid soaring fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Gulf.
The measures, approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government on Thursday, come as Pakistan faces the risk of gas and electricity shortages after disruptions to liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from the Gulf and rising global prices for petrol and diesel.
The government said fuel allocations for official vehicles will be reduced by half for the next three months, while ambulances, ...