PM Shehbaz directs petroleum minister to reach Karachi, negotiate with refineries to reduce diesel prices

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik to travel to Karachi without delay and engage with oil refineries to negotiate a cut in the prices of domestically produced diesel, with the aim of providing immediate relief to consumers.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the directive was issued during a meeting between the prime minister and the petroleum minister.

اسلام آباد: 19 اگست 2026.

وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے وزیرِ پیٹرولیم کو فوری کراچی پہنچنے اور ایندھن کی قیمتوں کے حوالے سے عوامی ریلیف کیلئے فوری اقدامات کی ہدایت کی.

وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے وزیرِ پیٹرولیم علی پرویز ملک کی ملاقات ہوئی جس میں وزیرِ اطلاعات و نشریات… pic.twitter.com/nJOKiWs857

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) August 19, 2026

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik and MNA Hamza Shehbaz also attended the meeting.

The prime minister asked the petroleum minister to take all required steps through discussions with the refineries to bring down the prices of locally manufactured diesel.

“Most of the diesel is produced locally by oil refineries. The petroleum minister should personally complete negotiations with the refineries at the earliest to secure a reduction in prices,” the premier said.

PM Shehbaz also stressed that every possible measure should be taken to deliver immediate and maximum relief to the public.