• PPDA chairman says pricing remains an issue
• JI demands meeting with PM ‘this week’ to resolve levy issue

ISLAMABAD: Even as talks between the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and the government to reduce the fuel levy remained ‘inconclusive’, petroleum dealers on Friday urged consumers not to resort to panic buying, as excessive purchases could create market distortions.

Talking to reporters, Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh said the delicate balance between supply and demand had been maintained efficiently by all stakeholders, including the government, industry and consumers.

At the same time, he said the recent closure of the Iran border had put the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market under stress.

“As far as petrol supply is concerned, there is a huge responsibility on consumers too, especially petrol consumers. We have seen in the past that when cars and motorcycles line up at petrol pumps, it creates artificial shortages in some areas,” the PPDA chairman said.

He said reports were circulating that the country could run dry in the coming days and recalled the situation during the US invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001.

“There were such reports and a brief panic in those days too, but petrol and diesel remained available in the country. Similarly, the situation remains under control now as well,” he added.

Mr Baksh said refineries were operational, while both crude oil and petroleum products were being imported from Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Oman. “Price remains an issue, but that is a different matter,” he said.

According to oil industry estimates, diesel demand during November 2026 is likely to be around 750,000 tonnes, driven by seasonal agricultural requirements.

Industry sources said local refineries supplied approximately 70 per cent of the country’s diesel requirements, although the bulk of the crude oil processed by them was imported.

Petrol demand for November is estimated at around 630,000 tonnes, while local production accounts for roughly 30pc of national consumption.

Petroleum industry sources added that high prices and the off-peak travel season were likely to keep consumption subdued next month.

Jamaat-govt talks

Meanwhile, the JI called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to announce additional relief for the public in his proposed meeting with Hafiz Naeem, and asked that the meeting be held ‘this week’.

Speaking to reporters after holding talks with a government delegation led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, JI Deputy Emir Liaqat Baloch told reporters that while the party would continue to pursue negotiations, it would not abandon the path of protest.

As talks continue a technical committee comprising State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, JI Islamabad Emir Nasrullah Randhawa and Deputy Secretary Syed Farasat Shah has been constituted and the committee would meet within two to three days to examine the outstanding issues.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2026