In a sign of cautious optimism about the broader trajectory of Gulf tensions, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced dramatic fuel price cuts on Friday. Diesel prices were slashed by Rs135 per litre and petrol by Rs12 per litre, effective Saturday. Sharif framed the announcement as a “historic occasion,” noting the shift from war to dialogue in the Gulf. He added that targeted fuel subsidies introduced during the crisis would remain in place.
The price cuts suggest that at least some actors in the region see the upcoming talks in Islamabad as a genuine window for resolution — though the gap between diplomatic optimism and on-the-ground reality remains vast.
