The government has dismissed the possibility of introducing fuel rationing, saying the move could trigger panic and disrupt the country’s petroleum supply system.

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik told the Senate Standing Committee on Finance that rationing fuel during periods of uncertainty can create serious instability in the market.

He cautioned that such measures have caused significant problems in other countries, where restrictions on fuel access led to public unrest and disruptions in distribution networks.

Citing the example of Bangladesh, the minister said attempts to ration fuel there resulted in attacks on petrol pumps and fuel storage facilities.

Malik said the government’s priority is to keep the supply chain functioning smoothly and avoid shortages. He added that pricing decisions are being made to ensure uninterrupted imports of petroleum products and maintain market stability.