What happened

According to a report by Dawn, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has urged consumers to refrain from panic buying fuel, warning that excessive purchases could disrupt the market and lead to artificial localized shortages. In parallel, negotiations between the government and the political party Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) regarding a reduction in the fuel levy ended without reaching a resolution. The specific details of the proposed levy adjustments were not specified in the source; please check the official notice.

Key facts

  • PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh confirmed that domestic oil refineries are operational and imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products from Gulf states, such as Oman and Saudi Arabia, are ongoing.
  • Recent closures along the border with Iran have put strain on the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply chain.
  • Oil sector projections estimate diesel demand for November 2026 at about 750,000 tonnes, driven by seasonal farming activity, with local facilities providing roughly 70 percent of national diesel needs.
  • Petrol demand for November 2026 is forecasted at around 630,000 tonnes, with local refineries producing approximately 30 percent of national consumption. High retail prices and off-peak travel are expected to keep demand subdued.
  • A specialized technical committee including State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, JI Islamabad Emir Nasrullah Randhawa, and Deputy Secretary Syed Farasat Shah has been established to review unresolved matters within two to three days.

Why it matters

As reported by Dawn, fuel dealers emphasized that overall national petroleum supplies remain controlled despite rumors that supplies might run out. Petroleum representatives stressed that consumer discipline at retail pumps is vital to maintaining market balance. Meanwhile, political discussions over fuel taxes remain active. JI Deputy Emir Liaqat Baloch stated that while the party intends to pursue talks through the newly created technical committee and has requested a direct meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Hafiz Naeem, it will not stop organizing public protests until economic relief is announced.

📰 Read the Original Report

Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 24, 2026 · Photo by Trương Tuyết Ly on Unsplash