Govt balances public relief with strict austerity measures,opposition to act responsibly: Rana Ihsan Afzal

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Mar, 2026) Coordinator to the Prime Minister, Rana Ihsan Afzal, on Wednesday underlined the government’s dedication to citizens’ welfare, assuring that relief from global oil price drops would be delivered, noting tough austerity steps taken and urging the opposition to exercise responsibility in their discussions to safeguard Pakistan’s foreign policy.

While speaking to a local news channel, Rana Ihsan Afzal said the media and opposition had been urged to avoid any ill-informed commentary that could harm Pakistan’s foreign relations during this critical time.

He highlighted that neighboring countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and others were also facing similar economic challenges, emphasizing the importance of responsible discourse to maintain strong regional

ties.

Rana Ihsan Afzal further noted that the government’s austerity measures have been timely and necessary, reaffirming that the administration stands firmly with the public in navigating these difficult times.

He assured that once the situation stabilizes, oil prices in Pakistan would adjust at the same pace at which they had previously increased, ensuring relief is passed on to the public without delay.

He urged all stakeholders to show unity and political maturity, emphasizing that while the opposition has the right to critique internal matters, such criticism should remain constructive and not be highlighted in a way that invites globally based scrutiny or harms Pakistan’s image abroad.

He said every step taken by this government was done in consultation with all provinces and in a single statement, he highlighted that it is this government that has strengthened economic indicators and brought improvement to the overall economy.

He assured that the government was fully aware of the challenges being faced, not only by Pakistan but also by other Muslim countries and the world at large during these difficult times.