Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said his government will absorb a 56bn-rupee fuel subsidy to shield people from rising energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict.
In a televised address on Friday, Sharif said: "Today in Pakistan, the price of petrol should have been 544 Pakistani rupees per litre, but you are getting it for only 322 rupees."
He added that diesel prices were also being kept below market levels, saying they should have reached around 790 rupees per litre but were being sold at about 335 rupees.
Sharif said Pakistan was working "day and night" on diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace, alongside measures to protect the public from rising global oil prices.
Earlier in March, schools across Pakistan were forced to close for a fortnight and government departments shifted to a four-day week.
Pakistan imports most of its energy and has already raised petrol and diesel prices to record levels.
Brent crude is above $100 a barrel, while the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed, delaying fuel shipments worldwide.
Earlier this month, Pakistan increased consumer prices for diesel and petrol, citing higher oil prices driven by the conflict in Iran. The move fed through into higher inflation and hit Pakistan’s poorest communities.
Recent footage from cities including Lahore and Karachi showed long queues at petrol stations, with motorcyclists lining up to refuel as prices rose.
Pakistan imports most of its oil from Saudi Arabia and the UAE through the Strait of Hormuz.
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Pakistan is providing targeted relief to millions of people after a sharp rise in global oil prices pushed domestic petrol and diesel prices higher, with disruption around two major Middle East shipping routes adding pressure to the country’s energy supply chain.
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