LARKANA: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday directed federal ministers to prioritise public relief, minimise the burden of petroleum prices and ease economic pressure on citizens.

The president emphasised that economic policies must focus on providing relief to the public, directing authorities to ensure that rising fuel costs did not disproportionately impact the common man.

Mr Zardari was chairing a meeting at Bhutto House, attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Muham­mad Aurangzeb and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, PPP Women’s Wing Cent­ral President Faryal Talpur and Sindh Local Govern­ment Minister Nasir Hus­sain Shah were also present.

The participants review­ed the overall law and order situation, the country’s economic outlook, and developments in the energy sector, including petroleum product pricing.

Zardari highlights need to ease fuel price hike burden on citizens

The interior minister briefed the president on ongoing counterterrorism operations and border security. The meeting also discussed tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as a detailed overview of broader regional security challenges.

The finance and petroleum ministers informed the president of the steps being taken regarding the prices of petroleum products.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2026