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As the city runs on fumes, motorcyclists line up at a petrol pump in Karachi, waiting their turn amid surge in fuel prices. Photo: Jalal Qureshi / Express
The government on Thursday raised the prices of petrol by Rs6.51 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs19.39 per litre for the next week amid the current fuel crisis due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
A notification by the Petroleum Division said the new petrol price was Rs399.86 and Rs399.58 for HSD.
Earlier, the Petroleum Division rejected reports about the closure of petrol pumps from May 1.
In a statement, the division said there was no truth in reports suggesting the closure of petrol pumps, adding that the supply of petroleum products would continue without interruption.
It urged the public to avoid being misled by what it called negative propaganda aimed at creating panic.
The statement added that since the beginning of the Middle East conflict, petroleum supply had remained uninterrupted and would continue to be ensured in the future.
یکم مئ سے پیٹرول پمپس کی بندش کی خبر میں صداقت نہیں ۔پیٹرولیم مصنوعات کی فراہمی بلا تعطل جاری رہے گی۔ایسے پروپیگنڈے سے عوام میں بے چینی پھیلانے سے گریز کیا جائے ۔مشرق وسطی جنگ کے آغاز سے ہی پیٹرولیم سپلائی بلا تعطل برقرار رکھی گئ ہے۔مستقبل میں بھی سپلائی یقینی بنائی جائے گی
— Petroleum Division, Ministry of Energy (@Official_PetDiv) April 30, 2026
Amid earlier reports of the expected hike and possible shortage of petroleum products, citizens rushed to petrol pumps in the federal capital, resulting in long queues and increased rush.
The district administration issued an important message for citizens amid reports of increased activity at petrol pumps across the city, terming reports of petrol unavailability as “mere rumours”.
It said sufficient stock of petrol was available at all fuel stations in the city and urged citizens to report any fuel station providing less petrol than required.
“If any fuel pump provides less petrol than your requirement, inform us immediately,” the district administration said.
A spokesperson added that citizens could contact the district administration’s control room at 051-9108084 and urged them not to pay attention to rumours regarding a fuel shortage.
Reports of a possible hike in petroleum prices also triggered a rush at fuel stations in Lahore.
In anticipation of an increase in prices, long queues of vehicles were witnessed at petrol pumps across the city, disrupting traffic flow in several areas.
Motorcycles, cars and rickshaws were seen lined up outside multiple fuel stations, while reports also indicated that several petrol pumps temporarily halted supply amid the rush.
