PM Orders Crackdown on Petrol Hoarding

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif orders crackdown on petrol hoarding and mandates real-time monitoring of fuel stocks nationwide.

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Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate nationwide crackdown on petrol hoarding and directed authorities to establish real-time monitoring of petroleum product stocks across Pakistan. The directive came during a high-level review meeting on fuel availability amid rising regional tensions affecting global energy markets.

The prime minister instructed provincial governments to take strict legal action against petrol pumps and distributors involved in creating artificial shortages. He warned that any outlet found hoarding fuel or manipulating supply should be shut down immediately, with its license cancelled and legal proceedings initiated.

Officials from the Ministry of Petroleum briefed the meeting that current national reserves of petroleum products remain adequate to meet domestic demand. However, the government wants tighter oversight of fuel logistics and supply chains to prevent market manipulation.

Shehbaz Sharif also ordered the creation of a digital dashboard to track the transportation and distribution of petroleum products in real time and share data with provincial governments. Senior officials attending the meeting included Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Awais Khan Leghari and Jameel Ahmad.