Fuel dealers have urged consumers to avoid panic buying as reports of a petrol shortage in Pakistan today circulated, with claims that the country could run dry in the coming days. The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) said petrol and diesel remain available and that the situation is under control. Its chairman, Malik Khuda Baksh, also said that cars and motorcycles lining up at pumps had created artificial shortages in some areas.
What the dealers said
Mr Baksh's remarks addressed the concern about a petrol shortage in Pakistan directly. He said the balance between supply and demand had been kept by the government, the industry and consumers alike. He recalled that similar reports and a brief panic had emerged during the US invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001, when petrol and diesel stayed available. He placed some responsibility on consumers, particularly petrol buyers, to avoid queues and excessive purchases.
Mr Baksh said refineries are operational and that crude oil and petroleum products are being imported from Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Oman. On liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a fuel used for cooking and as vehicle fuel, he said the recent closure of the Iran border had put the market under stress. He added that price remains an issue, though he described that as a separate matter.
Imports, demand and the fuel levy talks
Oil industry estimates put petrol demand for November at about 630,000 tonnes, with local production covering roughly 30 per cent of national consumption. Diesel demand for the month is likely to be around 750,000 tonnes, driven by seasonal farm needs, and local refineries supplied about 70 per cent of the country's diesel requirements, although most of the crude they process is imported. Industry sources added that high prices and the off-peak travel season are likely to keep consumption subdued next month.
Separately, talks between the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and the government on reducing the fuel levy, a charge on fuel, remained inconclusive. After meeting a government delegation led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, JI Deputy Emir Liaqat Baloch said the party would continue negotiating but would not abandon the path of protest. The JI has asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to announce extra relief at a proposed meeting with Hafiz Naeem, to be held 'this week'. A technical committee has been formed and is expected to meet within two to three days to examine the outstanding issues.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- October 2001: During the US invasion of Afghanistan, similar run-dry reports and a brief panic occurred, the PPDA chairman recalled, but petrol and diesel remained available.
- 24 October 2026: The dealers' call to avoid panic buying is published with this date.
- November 2026: Oil industry estimates put petrol demand at about 630,000 tonnes and diesel demand at about 750,000 tonnes.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Fuel dealers ne log'on ko kaha hai ke ghabrahat mein petrol na khareedain, kyun ke unke mutabiq petrol aur diesel abhi dastiyaab hain aur halaat qabu mein hain. Lekin pump par gaadiyon ki lambi qatarein kuch ilaqon mein masnoi kami paida kar rahi hain. Jamaat-i-Islami aur hukumat ke darmiyan levy par baat cheet abhi mukammal nahi hui, aur ek technical committee jald milne wali hai. Aapke liye matlab yeh hai ke zaroorat ke mutabiq hi petrol bharwayein aur afwahon par yaqeen na karein.
