Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate nationwide crackdown on the hoarding of petroleum products, directing provincial administrations to take strict action against petrol pumps involved in creating artificial shortages. The directive came during a high level meeting convened to review the country’s fuel reserves and supply chain in light of the changing regional situation and rising concerns about energy security.
During the meeting, the prime minister instructed provincial governments to shut down petrol pumps found engaging in hoarding practices and cancel their operating licences. He also ordered authorities to initiate legal proceedings against those responsible for manipulating fuel availability in the market. The directive aims to prevent artificial supply disruptions and maintain public confidence in the fuel distribution system.
The meeting was held to review the country’s petroleum stock levels and assess supply readiness amid geopolitical developments affecting global energy markets. Officials from the Ministry of Petroleum presented a detailed briefing to the participants, informing the leadership that Pakistan currently holds adequate petroleum reserves to meet domestic demand despite ongoing regional uncertainties.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that any attempt to exploit the situation through hoarding or manipulation of supply would not be tolerated. He instructed provincial administrations to act swiftly against violators and ensure uninterrupted fuel availability to consumers across the country. According to the directive, any petrol pump found creating artificial shortages should be closed immediately, its licence revoked and legal action initiated.
Alongside enforcement measures, the prime minister also ordered the development of a real time digital monitoring system to oversee the movement and transportation of petroleum products nationwide. The proposed digital dashboard will allow authorities to track fuel supply flows across provinces and enable real time data sharing between federal and provincial governments.
The monitoring platform is expected to improve transparency in the petroleum supply chain and provide authorities with accurate information about fuel distribution patterns. By digitally tracking the transportation and movement of petroleum products, the government aims to detect supply disruptions quickly and respond more efficiently to potential shortages.
The prime minister also directed the Minister for Petroleum to engage directly with provincial governments to formulate a comprehensive strategy for the conservation and efficient use of petroleum products. The plan will focus on maintaining consistent fuel supply to the public while addressing challenges posed by rising global oil prices and potential supply chain disruptions.
The high level meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik and Awais Khan Leghari. Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, Governor State Bank Jamil Ahmed, chief secretaries from all four provinces, representatives from Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, and other senior government officials were also present.
The directive comes shortly after the federal government decided to convene daily meetings of a cabinet level committee to monitor petroleum prices and energy supply developments. The committee has been tasked with reviewing market trends and ensuring that domestic fuel availability remains stable amid rising regional tensions.
The monitoring committee held a meeting earlier at the Finance Division under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb. During the session, officials conducted a comprehensive assessment of petroleum reserves and examined forward and futures prices of fuel products in global markets. The review also evaluated the resilience of regional and international supply chains and assessed potential foreign exchange implications linked to oil price volatility.
Fuel prices in Pakistan were recently revised upward following a surge in global oil markets driven by geopolitical instability and concerns about supply disruptions after targeted attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel. The earlier adjustment took effect on March 1 and reflected rising international petroleum prices.
Under that revision, the price of petrol increased by Rs8 per litre, representing a rise of about three percent. High speed diesel also saw an increase of Rs5.16 per litre, equivalent to roughly 1.8 percent. Following the adjustment, petrol prices moved from Rs258.17 to Rs266.17 per litre, while the price of high speed diesel rose from Rs275.70 to Rs280.86 per litre for the fortnight ending March 15.
Authorities believe that strengthening regulatory oversight and deploying digital monitoring tools will play a key role in maintaining supply stability and preventing market manipulation during periods of global energy uncertainty.
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