Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has imposed an immediate ban on the use of high-octane fuel in government vehicles. This decision follows the move to increase the petroleum levy on high-octane fuel.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister instructed all federal departments, authorities, and attached institutions to ensure the swift and full implementation of the ban. The measure is part of an effort to ensure the effective and responsible use of national resources, reduce government expenditures, and enable better utilization of public funds.

The Prime Minister emphasized the necessity of reducing unnecessary expenses by adhering to an austerity policy. He also directed relevant authorities to establish a monitoring system to enforce the new regulation and to take strict action against any violations.

Shehbaz Sharif noted that a fifty percent reduction in fuel allocation for government vehicles had already been implemented, alongside the grounding of sixty percent of these vehicles. The savings from these measures have reportedly been redirected to provide relief and cheaper fuel to the public.