Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says that the government has made the utmost efforts to manage the ongoing economic turmoil via austerity measures.

“It is a challenging situation,” the premier told a cabinet meeting, referring to rocketing oil prices and subsequent government price hikes. “But via austerity measures … we have made the best of efforts to fully manage the situation.”

He congratulated Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and his whole team for their efforts in this regard, as a result of which there were “no lines here (outside petrol stations), no rationing” as in other countries.

“I feel that a satisfactory situation is underway,” he said.