Petrol availability in Pakistan became a Senate question on Friday, when the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a partner in the ruling coalition, asked the government to brief the upper house on its rationing measures and contingency plans. The party is worried about a possible petroleum crisis by December, as conflict spreading from Iran to Yemen puts pressure on energy routes. A minister of state told the House that there was no fuel supply problem in the country.
What the PPP asked the government to explain
PPP parliamentary leader Sherry Rehman said members across the aisle wanted to know whether petrol would be available until December. She asked the petroleum and energy ministers to brief parliament on future planning and contingency measures, and put the question directly: “Will there be rationing?” She linked the escalating conflict in West Asia to uncertainty over Pakistan’s petroleum supplies, with consequences for energy, security and the economy.
Details of any rationing measures were not set out in the House during this exchange. Rehman’s demand therefore centres on a clearer government fuel supply plan, not on any announced cut.
Government says there is no fuel shortage
Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue, told the House that there was no fuel supply problem in the country. He said the government was giving targeted fuel subsidy to motorcyclists, rickshaw and loader operators, and users of small cars, because petroleum prices had risen sharply across countries due to the regional conflict. He said more than 10 million people were benefiting from the scheme.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led federal government has also ruled out any fuel supply problem in the coming months. Its position stands against the opposition’s warnings, which were raised in the same session.
LPG, the levy and wider energy strain
Rehman warned that any disruption in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the cooking gas used in many homes, would seriously affect ordinary citizens. She said Pakistan meets nearly 70 per cent of its LPG needs through imports, and that five cargoes arrived last year while only two were expected this year. She demanded that a supply plan be placed before parliament.
Rehman also said the levy on petroleum products was not being spent on environmental protection, adding that “a levy is not a tax.” She asked that no carbon levy be included in the next budget unless it was restructured as a carbon tax set aside for climate action.
Raja Nasir Abbas, Leader of the Opposition, warned that the war from Iran to Yemen would worsen energy and food crises as key maritime routes came under threat. He said Punjab was already facing a flour shortage and the country was seeing an LPG shortage. He also asked why an emergency had not been imposed in the other three provinces, given the federal emergency and governor’s rule in PTI-ruled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The House adjourned till Monday after PTI Senator Falak Naz pointed out a lack of quorum, meaning too few members were present to continue. Until the ministers respond to the PPP’s demand, petrol availability in Pakistan remains the central question for households watching prices and supply.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Senate mein PPP ne sarkar se petrol ki dastyabi aur rationing ke mansoobon ki briefing mangi hai. Sarkar ka kehna hai ke mulk mein fuel supply ka koi masla nahi, aur motorcycle, rickshaw aur chhoti gaari walon ko targeted subsidy di ja rahi hai. PPP ko December tak petrol aur LPG ki supply par tashweesh hai. Is liye agle mahinon mein official update par nazar rakhein.
