Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, Barrister Danyal Chaudhry, has stated that rising tensions between the US and Iran, the volatile situation near the Strait of Hormuz, and disruptions in global supply lines have triggered an extraordinary surge in crude oil prices, affecting import-dependent economies worldwide, including Pakistan.
Speaking at a special briefing organized by the Parliamentary Forum on Energy and Economy at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services in Islamabad, he explained that Pakistan relies heavily on imported fuels. Given the global situation, the government had to adjust petroleum product prices to ensure uninterrupted energy supply, economic stability, and national energy security.
He made it clear that energy policy is not merely an economic issue, it is directly linked to national security, public trust, and state stability.
Due to rising crude oil prices in the international market, petroleum product prices in Pakistan increased by over 55 percent. Despite immense challenges, the government tried to minimize the impact keeping public interest in mind. The increase in the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) was carried out based on economic requirements and fiscal discipline under the IMF programme.
Barrister Danyal noted that certain elements are trying to create negative public perception by linking the price hike solely to government policies, while the real cause lies in global conflict conditions and supply disruptions. He reaffirmed that the government is following a transparent and effective communication strategy to counter misinformation and propaganda.
He further emphasized that the ongoing energy crisis has exposed some fundamental weaknesses in Pakistan's energy sector. It is now imperative to reduce dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels and shift toward local, affordable, and sustainable energy sources.
A delegation from China Pakistan Caiyu Economic Development Private Limited (CPCED) and its partner group Shaanxi Xinghuo Industrial Group also attended the briefing.
