ISLAMABAD (HRNW): Despite the global energy crisis triggered by the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran—which has pushed fuel prices to record highs—petroleum consumption in Pakistan has unexpectedly failed to decrease. This anomaly has prompted a high-level federal investigation into potential irregularities within the supply chain.
Ineffectiveness of Austerity Policies
To manage the supply shock and reduce domestic demand, the federal government had implemented a strict austerity policy. These measures included:
-
Educational Closures: Reintroducing weekly holidays in schools to reduce student transport.
-
Government Restrictions: Imposing a ban on the non-essential use of official vehicles across all state institutions.
-
General Energy Saving: Various other protocols aimed at conserving national fuel reserves.
However, sources within the Ministry of Petroleum reveal that petrol sales actually saw an upward trend during the last 15 days of March 2026.
Surprising Consumption Statistics
Comparing March 2026 to the same period last year, the data shows a significant and unexplained spike in consumption:
-
Petrol Consumption: Increased by 18%.
-
Diesel Consumption: Increased by 25%.
Government officials expressed shock at these figures, noting that consumption should have naturally dipped due to the combination of school holidays and the Eid-ul-Fitr vacations.
High-Level Inquiry and FIA Intervention
The matter was formally discussed in a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Taking notice of the suspicious data, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to launch a comprehensive inquiry.
Authorities suspect that “big fish” within the petroleum industry may be involved in market manipulation or corruption. The investigation will look into whether certain petroleum marketing companies are misreporting figures or if there is large-scale hoarding and black-marketing taking place despite the official price hikes. Legal action against complicit companies is expected once the inquiry report is finalized.
Support Independent Journalism: At HRNW, we provide authoritative coverage of economic anomalies and federal accountability measures. Your support empowers our mission of factual and impactful reporting. Support us today at www.hrnww.com/?page_id=1083.
