ISLAMABAD — The federal government announced on Tuesday that this year’s Pakistan Day parade and ceremonial events will not be held due to austerity measures linked to the ongoing Gulf crisis. Traditionally observed on March 23 with parades, military flypasts, and cultural displays, the day will instead be marked with a simple flag-hoisting ceremony, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The decision aligns with broader cost-saving measures introduced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, including a four-day workweek for government employees, work-from-home directives, and school closures to conserve fuel. Pakistan relies heavily on oil and gas imports from the Gulf, and naval escorts were recently deployed to ensure uninterrupted fuel shipments amid regional tensions.
PM Shehbaz also chaired a high-level meeting to review fuel conservation measures, instructing authorities to maintain petroleum supply chains, monitor stocks, and prepare for any emergencies. Officials stated that current crude oil and petroleum inventories are sufficient to meet March and April demand.
