PM directs provinces to act against those creating artificial fuel shortage

• Premier Shehbaz tells provincial governments to close petrol pumps creating artificial shortages and cancel licences of violators

• Directs Petroleum Minister to coordinate with provinces and devise strategy to conserve fuel

• Real-time monitoring dashboard to track petroleum movement and transportation across the country

• Sufficient petroleum reserves available, but PM cautions situation could worsen if regional war continues

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed provincial governments to take strict legal action against those hoarding petroleum products and ordered that any petrol pump found creating artificial shortages be immediately closed, its licence cancelled, and legal proceedings initiated, state media reported.

The premier also instructed the Ministry of Petroleum to coordinate with provincial governments, prepare a comprehensive strategy for conserving petroleum products, and ensure their uninterrupted supply to the public.

The instructions were issued during a high-level meeting on petroleum products presided over by the prime minister, according to a handout issued by the Prime Minister’s Office Pakistan.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting regarding petroleum products. pic.twitter.com/WDGufBV7TZ

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) March 6, 2026

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz Sharif directed that strict legal measures be taken against anyone hoarding or creating artificial shortages, emphasizing that no tolerance would be shown toward violations.

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; State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad; and the chief secretaries of Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیر صدارت پیٹرولیم مصنوعات سے متعلق اعلیٰ سطحی اجلاس

بریفنگ میں بتایا گیا کہ ملکی ضروریات کو پورا کرنے کیلئے ملک میں پیٹرولیم مصنوعات کا مناسب ذخیرہ موجود ہے۔

اجلاس میں نائب وزیراعظم و وزیر خارجہ محمد اسحاق ڈار، وفاقی وزراء جام کمال خان، احد خان… pic.twitter.com/jW7AyWrPJo

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) March 6, 2026

The PMO statement said the Ministry of Petroleum presented a detailed briefing on national petroleum stocks, highlighting that sufficient reserves are available to meet the country’s requirements despite the regional tensions affecting supply chains.

The prime minister further directed the creation of a real-time monitoring dashboard for the movement and transportation of petroleum products, with data to be shared with provincial authorities to ensure smooth distribution and transparency.

The meeting comes as the US and Israel’s war with Iran enters its sixth day, disrupting global supply chains, with passage through the Strait of Hormuz paralyzed.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told the meeting that there is no immediate fuel shortage in Pakistan, but the situation could worsen if the conflict continues.

Pakistan has formally requested Saudi Arabia to provide an alternative oil supply route via the Red Sea to maintain the country’s fuel supply chain.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیرِ صدارت پیٹرولیم مصنوعات سے متعلق اعلیٰ سطحی اجلاس

وزارتِ پٹرولیم کی اجلاس کو خطے کی بدلتی ہوئی صورتحال کے تناظر میں پٹرولیم مصنوعات کے ذخیرے کے بارے میں تفصیلی بریفنگ دی گئی۔

وزیراعظم نے صوبائی حکومتوں کو ہدایت کی کہ پٹرولیم مصنوعات کے ذخیرہ… pic.twitter.com/UNFxLn3WlM

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) March 6, 2026

A day earlier, the government decided in principle to introduce weekly petroleum pricing from March 8, to pass on additional costs such as heightened insurance, freight, and war premiums to consumers.

The plan also aims to revive select Covid-19-era measures (excluding health restrictions), such as distance learning, work-from-home arrangements, and car-pooling, to minimise foreign exchange losses and financial impact.

The “national action plan” to cope with the emerging crisis was finalized in consultation with provincial and regional governments at a cabinet committee meeting, constituted by the prime minister to monitor petrol prices.

The plan is to be presented to PM Shehbaz Sharif for final approval, and, once cleared and fine-tuned, will be submitted to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet for formal adoption and implementation.