Petroleum prices are likely to go up in the upcoming days along with a potential risk of fuel shortages amid the ongoing situation in the Middle East, the Secretary of the Petroleum Division told the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution.

Briefing the panel, the petroleum secretary warned that continued instability in Iran could disrupt supplies and push up fuel prices across the region.

During discussions on the Thar Coal Project, Senator Poonjo Bheel said an agreement had promised Islamkot residents 300 free electricity units, yet they were still receiving bills. Officials responded that the government had approved 100 free units per month for 4,688 consumers in the area.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s government and industry officials have assured that the country has enough fuel reserves to meet demand for at least a month.

Pakistan’s Petroleum Division has been instructed to provide daily stock reports, while the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) is overseeing market stability.

According to OGRA spokesperson Imran Ghaznavi Pakistan has 28 days’ supply of petrol and diesel in stock.