Govt vehicles restricted to essential duties only, officials directed to maximise use of online platforms for meetings
Finance Department Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Photo: Website
In response to potential disruptions in global petroleum supplies triggered by an evolving international crisis, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government on Saturday announced immediate precautionary steps to curb non-essential fuel consumption across provincial departments.
The Finance Department issued an official notification banning unnecessary official travel and events. Government vehicles were restricted to essential and unavoidable official duties only. Officials were directed to avoid using multiple vehicles for the same task and to maximise the use of online platforms for inter-district and internal meetings.
As PM Shehbaz Sharif’s government struggles to finalize energy conservation measures, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Finance Department has issued notification, restricting travel and use of official vehicles to save fuel. PM has now instructed to finalize new measures by Monday. pic.twitter.com/tFoQIvTFmY
— Shahbaz Rana (@81ShahbazRana) March 7, 2026
The directive emphasised strict monitoring of fuel usage in all government offices, limiting it exclusively to emergency and critical operations. All subordinate departments were instructed to ensure immediate compliance with these guidelines.
This move came as part of broader national efforts to manage fuel resources prudently amid reports of supply chain strains, rising global crude prices, and regional tensions affecting imports through key routes.
Federal authorities have maintained that domestic petroleum stocks remain adequate for current needs, while urging measures to prevent hoarding and promote conservation at provincial levels.
The provincial administration’s announcement aims to set an example in responsible resource management and reduce pressure on fuel reserves during this uncertain period.
A day earlier, the government sharply increased diesel and petrol prices by Rs55 per litre, or 20% — marking the first in a series of similar surges expected in the coming days due to the ongoing US-Israel and Iran conflict, which has disrupted supply chains and pushed crude oil prices to a two-year high.
The increase in petrol prices was more than the surge in international markets, as the government chose to collect more money than required from motorcyclists and car owners to subsidise the use of diesel, mostly by the public transport and agriculture sectors.
Read More: Govt drops ‘fuel bomb’
A sharp increase of Rs55 per litre in petroleum prices has intensified the cost of living, with residents reporting higher transport fares and rising prices of daily-use items.
People also reported disputes at petrol pumps, where attendants were refusing to dispense fuel worth less than one litre. According to residents, many customers asked for petrol worth Rs150 or Rs200, but pump staff declined, saying the nozzle rate is fixed and fuel is either dispensed in smaller or larger quantities, leading to frequent arguments.
The rise in petrol prices also pushed up the cost of fruits, vegetables and other daily necessities. Shopkeepers said the transport cost of bringing fruits, vegetables and goods had previously been around Rs1,000 per trip but had now increased to between Rs2,500 and Rs3,000.
Drivers providing pick-and-drop services for schoolchildren have also raised their fares, with residents saying the entire burden has shifted to the public.
