Petrol pumps shut and prices surge as Middle East conflict disrupts oil supplies
March 7, 2026: The ongoing Middle East conflict is beginning to severely impact Pakistan, where a major fuel shortage has emerged across several regions. Reports indicate that many petrol pumps have shut down due to limited supplies of petrol and diesel. In places where fuel is still available, prices have jumped sharply, with an increase of nearly ₹55 in just one day, triggering concern among citizens and businesses.
The shortage has been reported in multiple provinces, including Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh. Long queues have formed outside petrol stations as people rush to secure fuel, but many pumps have run dry. The disruption has caused widespread panic, with commuters and transport operators struggling to access petrol and diesel for daily use.
Tensions have also surfaced in some areas. In Sialkot, reports said gunfire broke out after fuel supplies at a petrol station were exhausted, reflecting growing frustration among the public. Analysts say the crisis is linked to wider regional instability as the conflict involving Iran continues to disrupt global energy supply chains.