- By Ajeet Kumar
- Fri, 06 Mar 2026 01:44 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Pakistan to revise petroleum prices weekly from Saturday.
- Work-from-home, distance learning considered to conserve fuel.
- Measures aim to counter West Asia conflict's oil disruption.
Pakistan on Thursday decided to introduce weekly revisions in petroleum prices effective from Saturday and consider measures such as work-from-home and distance learning to conserve fuel amid possible oil supply disruptions due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. At fuel stations, officegoers are facing massive queues to get oil for their vehicles. This triggered the Shehbaz Sharif-led government to invoke a work-from-home policy.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the cabinet committee formed by Prime Minister Sharif to monitor petrol prices due to the regional situation, The Dawn newspaper reported.
The national action plan, prepared in consultation with the provinces, will be presented to Sharif on Friday. After his clearance, it will be taken up by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet for formal approval and implementation. Back-to-back meetings of the three forums are scheduled for Friday, given the urgency of the situation, the report said, adding that contingency measures had also been discussed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Why is Pakistan facing oil crisis?
The development comes as the US and Israel's war with Iran continues for the sixth day, disrupting supply chains as ships' passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains paralysed. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway, connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes.
The Strait was effectively closed following several attacks on ships by Iran in retaliation for joint US- Israel strikes. Both petrol and diesel have over 5,00,000 tonnes of stocks, enough for 26 and 25 days' cover, the Dawn reported. Pakistan has already formally requested Saudi Arabia to provide an alternative oil supply route through the alternative Red Sea route to maintain its fuel supply chain.
ALSO READ: Pakistan To Enter US-Iran-Israel Conflict In Middle East? All Eyes On Saudi Defence Pact
Work-from-home to save fuel
During the meeting of the cabinet committee chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, federal ministries and provincial governments emphasised that they had faced a similar situation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Barring health-related precautions, almost all the contingency actions, including work-from-home, distance learning, and car-pooling, could be revived from next week to save fuel, energy and foreign exchange and minimise financial pressure on the budget and public purses, the report said.
Meanwhile, according to an official handout, the meeting also reviewed developments in the energy sector and assessed national preparedness measures amidst the evolving regional and global energy situation, undertaking a detailed review of petroleum product stock positions across the country.
(With inputs from agency)