Pakistan faces petrol-diesel shortage amid Gulf crisis; Fuel stations may shut soon

Pakistan is facing a severe petrol and diesel shortage as fuel supplies have been halted for three days due to escalating US-Iran tensions in the Gulf. Petroleum dealers warn that petrol pumps may close soon if deliveries are not restored.

Post Published By: Sona Saini

Updated : 6 March 2026, 12:25 PM IST

Fuel Supply Halted in Pakistan, Petrol Pumps at Risk

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing war between Iran and the United States and tensions in the Gulf region, the supply of petrol and diesel in Pakistan has been disrupted. The Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has warned that if supplies are not restored soon, petrol pumps may close in the next few days. Petrol and diesel stocks in the country are rapidly depleting.

Government Claims and Actual Situation

PPDA Central Secretary General Chaudhry Irfan Elahi stated that diesel supplies have dropped to just 20%, and petrol supplies have also decreased significantly. While the government and OGRA claim that the country has a 28-day fuel stock, dealers allege that no companies have supplied fuel for the past three days.

Price Hike and Allegations of Hoarding

Due to the shortage of fuel supplies, petrol prices have risen by 35 Pakistani rupees and diesel prices by 17 Pakistani rupees. According to the association, some private companies are hoarding oil to further increase prices. Petrol pump operators are appealing to the government to intervene immediately and ensure adequate fuel supply.

Gulf War Aggravates Crisis

The association says the war in the Gulf region and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have affected oil supplies. Pakistan imports approximately 1 million barrels of oil each month, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE being the major sources. Most of the crude from OPEC member countries is shipped to Asian countries through this shipping lane, so a supply disruption could severely impact the country.

Further Situation and Warnings

Petroleum companies and dealers have warned that many petrol pumps could close starting Monday if supplies are not restored. The PPDA says that companies are cutting fuel supplies and government inspections are only conducted at petrol pumps, not depots. This signals a serious energy crisis for the country's citizens.