Barrister Danyal Chaudhry, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, warned that escalating tensions between the US and Iran, instability near the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions in global supply lines have driven a sharp surge in crude oil prices that hit import-dependent countries like Pakistan hard. He said that current circumstances make clear the strategic dimension of energy policy for national stability.
Chaudhry explained that Pakistan’s heavy reliance on imported fuels forced the government to adjust domestic petroleum product prices to secure uninterrupted supply, protect the economy and preserve national energy security. International crude price pressures contributed to an increase in petroleum product prices in Pakistan by over 55 percent, he noted.
The Federal Parliamentary Secretary said the rise in the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) was implemented according to economic requirements and fiscal discipline under the IMF programme, and that the government worked to minimize the impact on consumers while maintaining macroeconomic stability. He stressed that these measures were taken in the public interest amid extraordinary global market volatility.
Responding to criticism, Chaudhry said some groups are attempting to attribute the entire price hike to domestic policy choices, but the principal drivers are global conflict conditions and supply disruptions. He underlined that the government is pursuing a transparent communication strategy to counter misinformation and propaganda around energy policy.
Chaudhry added that the ongoing crisis has highlighted structural weaknesses in Pakistan’s energy sector and reinforced the need to reduce dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels. He urged a strategic shift toward local, affordable and sustainable energy sources to strengthen long-term energy security and public confidence.
The special briefing hosted by the Parliamentary Forum on Energy and Economy at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services in Islamabad was attended by a delegation from China Pakistan Caiyu Economic Development Private Limited (CPCED) and its partner Shaanxi Xinghuo Industrial Group, reflecting ongoing interest in collaboration on energy and economic projects.
