ISLAMABAD, November 1, 2026: Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said on Sunday that more than 12 million deserving people were receiving subsidised petrol at pre-war prices as the government continued targeted relief measures amid the global energy crisis.
Addressing a university convocation, the minister said the government was providing subsidised fuel to approximately 12 to 13 million people who genuinely needed financial assistance.
He said the disruption around the Strait of Hormuz had created an unprecedented energy crisis, affecting households and economies worldwide.
According to the minister, rising international prices of oil, gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) had forced families to make difficult financial decisions, while governments struggled to secure sufficient foreign exchange for fuel imports.
Malik described the Strait of Hormuz crisis as unprecedented in its scale and severity, saying the prolonged disruption had tested the economic resilience of countries across the world.
He said Pakistan was among the few countries that had successfully shifted from financially unsustainable blanket fuel subsidies to technology-supported targeted assistance.
The minister maintained that the new approach ensured government resources reached vulnerable households rather than financially privileged consumers.
He said the government had deliberately avoided subsidising fuel for wealthy individuals, including those owning expensive vehicles such as Land Cruisers, and had instead prioritised people facing genuine financial difficulties.
Malik said Pakistan had managed the energy crisis more effectively than several countries in the region, despite challenging international market conditions.
Highlighting transparency in petroleum pricing, he said the government had made relevant information publicly available to ensure consumers understood how fuel prices were determined.
The minister also assured consumers that any reduction in international petroleum prices would automatically be passed on to the public.
He said people would not need to approach the prime minister or the petroleum minister to seek relief when global fuel prices declined.
“Automatically, all those benefits should start trickling back into your homes,” he said.