Pakistan PM Shehbaz Orders Crackdown on Petrol Hoarding Amid Regional Tensions
Islamabad, Pakistan – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate nationwide crackdown on the hoarding of petroleum products, directing provincial governments to shut down petrol pumps and cancel licenses of those involved in creating artificial shortages. The move comes as regional instability, including the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel with Iran, threatens supply chains .
Addressing Potential Fuel Shortages
Presiding over a high-level meeting on Friday, March 6, 2026, Prime Minister Sharif mandated the creation of a real-time digital dashboard to monitor the movement and transportation of petroleum products across all provinces . The Ministry of Petroleum briefed the meeting, stating that an adequate stock of petroleum products is currently available to meet national requirements.
Strict Action Against Hoarders
The Prime Minister issued a stern directive: “Any petrol pump involved in the heinous business of creating artificial shortages should be shut down immediately, its licence cancelled, and legal proceedings initiated.” He further instructed the Minister for Petroleum to collaborate with provincial governments to develop a strategy for conserving petroleum products and ensuring uninterrupted supply to the public.
Monitoring and Strategic Planning
To enhance monitoring capabilities, a dashboard will be established to track the movement of petroleum products in real-time, sharing data with provinces and facilitating efficient transportation oversight . Pakistan has also formally requested Saudi Arabia to provide an alternative oil supply route through the Red Sea to maintain its fuel supply chain.
Broader Economic Measures
The government has also decided to implement weekly petroleum pricing adjustments starting March 8, 2026, to account for increased costs related to insurance, freight, and war premiums. Measures similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic – including distance learning, work-from-home arrangements, and car-pooling – are being revived to minimize foreign exchange and financial losses .
Key Attendees
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Jam Kamal Khan, Ahsan Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Awais Leghari, as well as State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad and the chief secretaries of Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Regional Context and Concerns
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb acknowledged that while there is currently no fuel shortage in the country, the situation could worsen if the regional conflict persists . The ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel with Iran has disrupted shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about potential supply disruptions.