ISLAMABAD – Pakistanis continue to get notifications of Daily Petrol Prices under new policy as US-Iran jolted global oil prices. Amid these changes, All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPOA) voiced serious concerns over daily changes in petroleum prices, saying the system has created financial uncertainty and operational difficulties for fuel retailers.
The association wants the government to restore fortnightly price reviews to help pump owners manage stocks, cash flow and business planning more effectively.
Dealers delegation raised these concerns during a meeting with the Secretary Petroleum and Special Secretary Petroleum. Representatives explained how daily price adjustments affect inventory values, accounting and routine operations, alongside other issues concerning the rights of petrol pump owners.
Petroleum Secretary heard the delegation’s concerns and assured them that the difficulties facing retailers would be considered alongside the country’s broader circumstances. They also indicated that steps would be taken soon to move from daily price revisions back to a 15-day schedule.
The association reiterated its commitment to pursuing a resolution and protecting the legitimate rights and business interests of petrol pump owners, while seeking improvements across the petroleum sector.
Pakistan’s petroleum pricing schedule has undergone several changes during 2026 amid volatility in international oil markets and heightened Middle East tensions, including developments involving Iran. Prices were generally reviewed every fortnight until around February, before the government shifted to weekly revisions around March.
A daily pricing mechanism followed in July. Under the arrangement described, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority issues ex-depot petrol and high-speed diesel prices on weekdays, with Friday’s rates remaining applicable over the weekend. Calculations use a seven-day rolling average of international benchmarks, mainly Platts Arab Gulf assessments, alongside other applicable costs.
The mechanism was intended to improve transparency, reflect global price movements more quickly, discourage hoarding and reduce distortions in the domestic market. Routine daily notifications do not require advance approval from the prime minister or cabinet, although the government retains control over fiscal components such as the petroleum levy.
Pump owners have consistently opposed more frequent revisions. They argue that falling prices can reduce the value of fuel already purchased, while repeated adjustments complicate cash management, bookkeeping, deliveries and business planning. Even under the weekly system, the association had sought a return to fortnightly reviews, including in May 2026.
After introduction of daily pricing in July, Dealers announced nationwide strike reportedly involving around 15,000 petrol pumps, but later postponed it. Discussions with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik brought assurances on several concerns, including dealer commission increases previously approved by the Economic Coordination Committee. Daily pricing nevertheless remained in place.
On October 23, the association reportedly wrote to the petroleum minister seeking another meeting over continuing difficulties. The October 28 discussion with senior Petroleum Division officials appears to have followed that request. As described in supplied material, daily pricing remained operational in late October, with recent notifications showing modest adjustments in petrol and diesel rates. The government has defended the arrangement on grounds of transparency and supply security during international market uncertainty.
The assurance about restoring fortnightly reviews shows possible policy change. The association’s broader concerns also include dealer margins, demands for percentage-based commissions instead of fixed per-litre payments, supply allocations from oil marketing companies and other operational challenges. These form part of its wider advocacy, although daily price revisions were the central issue at this meeting.
Pakistan’s daily fuel pricing system could be headed for a reversal after senior petroleum officials assured petrol pump owners that steps would be taken soon to restore fortnightly reviews, following complaints that frequent changes were disrupting businesses across the country.
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