Pakistan announces fresh austerity measures as Gulf conflict drives up fuel costs

Pakistan announced on Thursday a cut in fuel for official vehicles, bans on vehicle purchases by the state, foreign visits by officials, and official dinners, as part of a slew of austerity measures in a bid to conserve energy as fuel prices spike due to the Gulf conflict.

Pakistan is facing the prospect of gas and power shortages as the Gulf conflict disrupts LNG supplies and drives up petrol and diesel prices.

The austerity measures, being implemented for the second time this year, also include a ban on government purchase of all durable…