ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik on Wednesday announced the reduction of Rs 30 to Rs 32 per litre in the price of diesel amid the rising cost of petroleum products in the country.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Information Minister Atta Tarar, Malik added that the expected reduction would be notified by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) later in the day.
He said the federal government was fully aware of the difficulties and suffering faced by the public due to the ongoing war in the region.
“The government will do whatever it can within its limited resources to provide relief to the people,” Malik said, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued directions for public relief measures without delay.
The petroleum minister said the government was making efforts to minimise the impact of regional developments and rising economic pressures on the public.
اسلام آباد: ڈیزل کی قیمتوں میں ریلیف کا اعلان، وزیرِ اطلاعات کے ہمراہ پریس کانفرنس۔ pic.twitter.com/BHJrlZ1Jn1
— Ali Pervaiz Malik (@AliPervaiz450) August 19, 2026
Talking about the relief, Ali Pervaiz said that the decision was taken after holding talks with petroleum refineries, which have accepted the government’s request for a significant decrease in the price of diesel by Rs 30 or Rs 32.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also made a request to the refineries. He instructed me, and after that we had two or three virtual meetings with the refineries,” Malik said.
The petroleum minister added that despite being under the IMF programme, the government has utilised more than Rs 100 billion to protect the people from the impact of these difficulties.
He said the escalation of the war had caused a sharp increase in international prices of refined petroleum products.
Talking about the diesel production, the minister noted that a major portion of diesel consumed in Pakistan was produced locally by refineries, which processed crude oil into refined products and supplied them to oil marketing companies.
He thanked the refineries for their cooperation, adding that he would visit Karachi next week to thank the refineries on the Prime Minister’s instructions.
Ali said some local refineries could not process heavy crude oil, increasing the need to import more expensive crude.
“Within the next few days, the work of upgrading the refineries will be initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to strengthen the state of Pakistan, which we could never do in the past 70 years,” he stated.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Petroleum Minister to immediately reach Karachi and take immediate steps to provide public relief regarding fuel prices, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, in which Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Climate Change Dr. Mosaddiq Malik, and Member of the National Assembly Hamza Shehbaz were also present.
“In the meeting, the Prime Minister directed Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik to immediately reach Karachi and hold talks with oil refineries.”
As per the PMO statement, the premier said that the Petroleum Minister should go to Karachi and ensure steps are taken to reduce the prices of locally produced diesel.
“The Petroleum Minister himself should complete negotiations with the refineries as soon as possible to reduce their prices. As much relief as possible should be provided to the public immediately,” Sharif added.
