ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reduced speed limits on motorways and national highways as part of fuel conservation measures announced by the government amid a surge in global oil prices, the motorway police said on Thursday.

The move follows a series of austerity steps announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration to cut fuel consumption as the war in Iran disrupts global supply routes and push crude prices higher.

Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported energy, has already raised petrol and diesel prices by about 55 rupees per liter earlier this month, driving up transportation costs.

The new limits also come toward the end of the holy month of Ramadan, when many Pakistanis travel to their hometowns ahead of the Eid Al-Fitr holidays, typically one of the busiest periods for intercity road traffic.

“On the directions of the federal government, the speed limits on motorways and national highways have been reduced to conserve fuel, and an awareness campaign has been launched to inform the public,” Syed Imran Ahmed, spokesperson for the Central Region of the motorway police, said in a statement.

Under the revised rules, the speed limit for cars and light transport vehicles on motorways has been reduced from 120 kilometers per hour to 100 km/h, while passenger service vehicles and heavy transport vehicles will now be restricted to 90 km/h instead of 110 km/h.

On national highways, the limit for cars and light vehicles has been lowered from 100 km/h to 80 km/h, while passenger and heavy transport vehicles will now be allowed to travel at a maximum of 65 km/h, down from 80 km/h, the motorway police said.

Authorities have taken these fuel consumption measures at a time when higher oil prices threaten to add pressure to Pakistan’s import bill and inflation, while also potentially discouraging some people from traveling long distances during the upcoming Eid holidays.