“No Petrol Lines Allowed!” Punjab Announces Strict Actions

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif convened an urgent meeting in Lahore with Ministers Aurangzeb and Malik to review the province’s petroleum supply, demand, and existing reserves of petrol, diesel, and LNG.

During the meeting, officials agreed on an immediate fuel-conservation policy to address the disrupted supply chain. CM Maryam Nawaz issued several directives to prevent public panic and market manipulation:

• Zero Tolerance for Hoarding: A severe crackdown has been ordered against anyone found hoarding (zakhira andozi) petroleum products.

• Strict Price Enforcement: Fuel will not be sold above the government-mandated rates anywhere in the province.

• No Queues at Pumps: Administration officials were strictly instructed to ensure citizens do not have to wait in long lines at petrol stations.

• Agricultural Priority: The Chief Minister strongly emphasized that the supply of diesel for agricultural use must be guaranteed to protect the upcoming harvest and national food security.

• 24/7 Monitoring: All district administrations, regulatory bodies, and the Transport Department have been tasked with the continuous monitoring of fuel supply lines and immediate action against violators.

“To tackle this monumental challenge, the whole nation must show steadfastness,” CM Maryam Nawaz stated, adding that immediate and tough decisions are unavoidable for the country’s economic security.

Why is this Happening?

The crisis escalated late Friday night during an 11:00 PM press conference, where Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced an increase of Rs. 55 per liter in both petrol and diesel prices, bringing petrol to Rs. 321 and diesel to Rs. 336.

Malik explained that this hike is solely due to rising global oil prices at an unprecedented rate. Following this, Brent Crude prices have now crossed $105 per barrel, and with this pricing, petrol might cross Rs. 380 per liter, and diesel could reach Rs. 400 in the upcoming weekly revision.

However,  the price spike is only a secondary issue compared to a nationwide supply shortage caused by the Iran-US-Israel conflict.

The Bigger Problem: Oil Supply is Cut Off

Pakistan buys 98% of its oil from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. All of this oil travels by sea through a narrow sea route called the Strait of Hormuz. Because of the current war, Iran has closed this route.

This means Pakistan is cut off from the Saudi oil it urgently needs. The government is considering bringing oil through the Red Sea instead, but it’s only a suggestion, and it’s in talks with the Saudi government about this alternative route.

Adding to the concern, the Finance Ministry confirmed that Pakistan’s current petroleum reserves are sufficient for roughly 28 days. If the alternative Saudi route is not finalized and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the country faces a high risk of a total nationwide fuel exhaustion.

Consequently, Pakistan is locked in a high-stakes waiting game. While the proposed Red Sea route offers a potential lifeline for oil supply, it will only solve the supply issue at a punishing financial cost because that route is much longer than the Hormuz route.

The only feasible resolution of this fuel crisis hinges on factors beyond Pakistan’s control: the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Until regional tensions ease and Iran clears the passage, the Pakistani public must brace for a period of extremely high fuel prices, likely Rs. 400+ per liter of petrol in the coming weeks.