By Admin 
Iran has allowed a Pakistani commercial oil tanker to pass through its part of the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNAC) spokesperson Farooq Nizami said that the ship ‘MT Karachi’ carrying about 1,09,990 tonnes of crude oil will reach Karachi port on Wednesday (18 March 2026).
Pakistani ship crossed the Strait of Hormuz
According to the report of news agency PTI, he said that the ship successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz after getting approval from Iranian authorities amid the disruption of commercial maritime traffic due to the ongoing war in the region. Nizami said that the oil tanker crossed Hormuz on March 15. Hundreds of ships are stranded in the narrow sea route between Iran and Oman after America and Israel launched attacks on Iran.
Pakistan’s troubles increased due to Middle East war
The direct impact of Middle East tension is visible on Pakistan’s economy. After the sharp increase in fuel prices, the government has announced the implementation of a strict austerity package for two months. The crisis in the Middle East has come at a time when Pakistan is already economically weak. The war with Afghanistan and continuous fighting with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have further increased its difficulties.
PAK government announced cuts on many fronts
The situation is so bad for Pakistan that it will have to save even its remaining economy. Islamabad has now taken several steps to save its economy and has announced several cutbacks on several fronts. In central and provincial government departments, it has been decided to keep government vehicles off the road up to 60 percent. Grade-20 officers in government offices earning more than Rs 3,00,000 have been asked to give up two days’ salary of their own free will. However, this does not apply to people in the health and education sectors.
Parliament and MLA salaries cut in Pakistan
The government has also directed members of the provincial and central houses to cut their salaries and allowances by 25 percent for two months. The Government of Pakistan has taken another big step, that is to reduce the petroleum provision for government vehicles by 50 percent. Cabinet ministers, ministers of state, special assistants and advisors of the Prime Minister will not have to take their entire salary for two months. Non-essential expenditure of central and state government departments will be reduced by 20 percent. Officers will no longer have to travel in business class.
New goods will not be purchased in government offices
Ministers, MPs and officials can undertake only essential foreign trips. There has been a complete ban on the purchase of new durable goods for government offices. For IT purchases, limited purchases have been exempted after scrutiny. Now all meetings in government departments will be virtual. This decision has been taken to reduce both travel and accommodation costs.
Except for those associated with the banking sector and essential services, all government offices will open only four days a week. Before organizing government seminars, training sessions and conferences, they will have to be vetted and approved in advance. The Government of Pakistan has advised to issue similar guidelines for the private sector also.
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