Fuel Crisis Triggers Panic In Pakistan

Petrol shortages, long queues and violence reported as Iran conflict disrupts supply routes

March 7, 2026: A severe fuel shortage has triggered widespread panic across Pakistan after supply disruptions linked to tensions around Iran. Petrol pumps in several regions have begun shutting down while motorists scramble to secure petrol and diesel. In a sudden attempt to stabilise the market, the government increased fuel prices by 55 Pakistani rupees per litre overnight, but the hike has done little to ease the crisis as fuel availability continues to decline.

Reports from provinces including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan indicate that many petrol stations have either shut down or run out of supplies. At pumps that still have fuel, vehicles are lining up for hours, with queues stretching for kilometres as people rush to fill their tanks. The crisis has created widespread anxiety among commuters and transport operators who rely heavily on daily fuel supplies.

The situation has also led to violent incidents. In Sialkot, a dispute at a petrol station reportedly ended in a fatal shooting after fuel supplies ran out. Meanwhile, senior leaders including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held an emergency briefing, acknowledging that disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz—a key oil shipping route—have affected fuel imports. Authorities have warned petrol pump operators against hoarding fuel or creating artificial shortages.