Pakistan on Monday extended its nationwide austerity drive and fuel conservation measures until June 13 as uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict continues to pressure global oil markets. The Cabinet Division issued a formal notification after Shehbaz Sharif approved the extension on the recommendations of the implementation committee. According to the notification, the government will […]
Petrol Crosses Rs414 as Pakistan Announces Massive Fuel Hike
Pakistan’s federal government on Friday increased petrol and high-speed diesel prices by nearly Rs15 per litre each, extending a series of sharp fuel hikes that have intensified inflation concerns across the country. According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the new prices took effect from May 9. Petrol prices rose from Rs399.86 to […]
Pakistan Inflation Back Above 10% After Nearly 2 Years
Pakistan’s consumer inflation jumped back into double digits in April after nearly two years, as rising transport fares and energy prices pushed up the cost of living across the country, official data showed. The Consumer Price Index rose by nearly 11 percent year on year in April, compared with 11.1 percent in July 2024, the […]
Inflation May Hit 17% as Middle East Conflict Disrupts Pakistan Economy
Pakistan could face annual economic losses ranging from $10 billion to $68 billion due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, with inflation potentially rising to 17% under severe conditions, an economist told lawmakers on Thursday. Ali Salman, head of the Policy Research Institute of Market Economy, presented three impact scenarios during a briefing to the […]
PM Shehbaz Steps In to Stop Fare Hikes, Extends Relief Package
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved a one-month extension of the fuel subsidy extension Pakistan scheme for motorcyclists, public transport operators, and goods transporters, aiming to sustain relief amid ongoing economic pressures linked to instability in the Middle East. The decision comes at a time when global oil markets remain volatile, driven by regional […]
Why Azerbaijan’s LNG Offer Could Change Pakistan’s Energy Game
Azerbaijan has said it is ready to supply liquefied natural gas to Pakistan, offering potential relief as the country faces mounting energy shortages amid global supply disruptions and declining domestic production. Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR confirmed that it can begin supplying LNG as soon as Islamabad formally places a request, under an existing framework […]
Govt Plans 2.5-Hour Loadshedding to Avoid Power Price Hike
Pakistan’s government has announced a 2.25-hour daily suspension of electricity during peak hours, describing the move as a targeted strategy to prevent a sharp increase in electricity tariffs amid rising global fuel prices. The decision, framed as a “peak relief strategy,” will apply nationwide during the high-demand window between 5:00pm and 1:00am, when pressure on […]
Pakistan Enforces 8PM Shutdown for Markets and Malls Except Sindh
The federal government has ordered the closure of markets and shopping malls across most of Pakistan by 8pm, as part of a nationwide effort to conserve energy amid rising fuel costs linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where officials reviewed […]
IMF Demands Fuel Reforms: What It Means for Millions of Pakistanis
Pakistan is once again at a critical crossroads after the International Monetary Fund pushed the government to remove fuel price distortions. The demand has sparked a key question across the country: will fuel prices rise again, or does the government still have room to provide relief? The answer is not simple. It depends on fiscal […]
Fuel Crisis Deepens in Pakistan: Petrol, Diesel Hike Expected as LPG Prices Jump 34%
Pakistan is bracing for another surge in fuel costs, with petrol and diesel prices expected to increase in the coming days, while liquefied petroleum gas prices have already witnessed a sharp hike from April 1, adding further pressure on consumers and businesses. The latest developments come amid rising global oil prices and ongoing economic strain […]