Pakistan Fuel Panic Hits Critical Level as Iran Conflict Closes Strait of Hormuz, 20% Price Hike Sparks Nationwide Chaos

By Global Ledger Senior Editor | March 7, 2026

KARACHI – Within the last 12 hours, Pakistan has plunged into acute fuel crisis as motorists swarm stations across Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad following emergency 20% price hikes triggered by Iranian missile strikes near the Strait of Hormuz. Fresh intelligence confirms global oil prices surged to $148/barrel after Wednesday’s attack on a U.S. naval convoy in Bahrain – a direct escalation that forced temporary closure of the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, through which 85% of Pakistan’s imports flow.

“We’ve never seen chaos like this,” said Nasir Ahmed, Shell station manager in Lahore, whose pumps ran dry by 3 AM local time. “Cars were blocking highways for 3 kilometers when police arrived. People broke windows fighting for spots.” The National Logistics Cell (NLC) verified to Global Ledger that 63% of urban stations face zero supply as of 8 AM today, with rationing now enforced for emergency vehicles only. Social media clips of fistfights at pumps went viral, showing petrol-soaked clothing and overturned motorcycles.

Pakistan’s Energy Minister Awais Leghari admitted in a 6 AM press conference: “We’re scrambling with regional allies for emergency shipments,” while U.S. Central Command warned of “prolonged disruption”