Pakistan is facing growing fears of a severe fuel supply crisis as tanker drivers report prolonged delays at depots and Middle East tensions disrupt global shipping and energy infrastructure. These developments have triggered panic buying across the nation, despite government assurances that fuel prices will remain stable for the time being.

Dozens of fuel tankers, responsible for supplying petrol nationwide, were observed parked at depots near Lahore, the capital of Punjab, on Tuesday. Drivers described waiting for days for refills. Abdul Shakoor, a tanker driver, stated, “There is no petrol at the depot for the past four days. Iran has closed the border from their side. The depot is lying empty.”

The escalating conflict between the US-Israel and Iran has severely impacted maritime routes and damaged critical oil and gas facilities in the Middle East, leading to a surge in global oil prices and heightening supply concerns for many countries. Pakistan, heavily reliant on oil and gas imports from the Gulf region, has even resorted to providing naval escorts for fuel-transporting vessels this week to safeguard essential supplies.

Earlier last week, the government in Islamabad increased fuel prices by approximately 20 percent, a move that immediately resulted in extensive queues and widespread panic purchasing at filling stations nationwide. However, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, in an interview broadcast on Tuesday, sought to allay fears, stating there would be “no immediate significant changes” in fuel costs.

In response to the escalating energy concerns, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a national austerity plan on Monday. This plan includes measures such as reducing the working week for government employees to four days and ordering the closure of schools, all aimed at conserving fuel resources.