The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association has declared a delay in shutting down petrol pumps across the country from March 26.
Association Chairman Abdul Sami Khan said, in view of the prevailing situation in the country, the closure of petrol pumps could also not be ordered for the time being.
He said the final decision on the closure of petrol pumps will be made later on at a general body meeting of petrol dealers.
Earlier, petroleum dealers had declared their plans to close down petrol pumps from March 26 to put pressure on increasing their profit margins.
Abdul Sami Khan added that it has become extremely difficult for petrol pumps to continue business with the present margin structure.
Earlier, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, addressed the nation on 20 March 2026, regarding the ongoing situation.
PM Shehbaz extends Eid greetings to nation
In an address to the nation, PM Shehbaz Sharif extended heartfelt Eid-ul-Fitr greetings and said that Eid calls for national unity and collective responsibility.
He added that the true joy of Eid is in sharing happiness with people around us.
Fuel prices not increasing
During the Eid-ul-Fitr festivities, the prime minister has also rejected the proposal to increase petroleum prices.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that petrol and diesel prices will remain unchanged for the next one week.
He said the world is currently facing an extraordinary situation. The ongoing war in the region has shaken the global economy and stability.
Attacks on energy facilities in friendly countries have further worsened the crisis.
The prime minister warned that the situation could become more serious, as global oil prices have risen sharply.
He said oil that was priced at 72 dollars per barrel a few weeks ago has now reached 158 dollars per barrel.
PM Shehbaz said that the increase of 55 rupees per litre in oil prices earlier in March had already put a heavy burden on the public. He added that he was given a proposal to increase petrol by 50 rupees per litre and diesel by 74 rupees per litre, but he rejected the proposal.
He said that in such circumstances, further increase in fuel prices would severely affect the lives of ordinary people.
