PM Shehbaz directs Petroleum Minister to rush to Karachi, negotiate with refineries for diesel price relief

August 19, 2026 (MLN): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik to immediately travel to Karachi and hold negotiations with oil refineries to secure a reduction in locally produced diesel prices and provide immediate relief to consumers.

The directives were issued during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, which was also attended by Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Climate Change Minister Dr Musadik Malik and MNA Hamza Shehbaz.

The Prime Minister instructed Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik to reach Karachi *without delay* and engage directly with local oil refineries over the pricing of diesel produced domestically.

PM Shehbaz emphasized that a significant portion of the country's diesel requirements is met through local refinery production. Therefore, he directed the Petroleum Minister to ensure that negotiations with refineries regarding a reduction in diesel prices are completed at the earliest.

The Prime Minister called for *maximum possible relief to be passed on to the public immediately*, according to the directives issued during the meeting.

The Petroleum-Minister has been specifically tasked with visiting Karachi and holding discussions with the country's oil refineries to determine how the price of locally produced diesel can be reduced.

The move comes as the government seeks to provide relief to consumers through lower fuel prices, with the Prime Minister directing the Petroleum Ministry to pursue immediate measures rather than waiting for a longer-term review of fuel pricing.

PM Shehbaz stressed that because a large share of diesel is produced domestically, there is scope for discussions with local refineries over their pricing and for ensuring that any possible reduction is reflected in consumer prices.

The Prime Minister's instructions indicate that the government is seeking to use the current pricing structure of locally produced diesel to provide relief to the public.

The Petroleum Minister has been directed to complete the discussions with refineries *as soon as possible* and take measures that can translate into immediate relief for consumers.

The Prime Minister directed that every possible effort should be made to provide immediate relief to the public.

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