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Pakistan has approved one LNG cargo for April 30 delivery through Seapeak Magellan to ease worsening electricity shortages, but officials say the volume is too small to fully run RLNG power plants. The purchase highlights Islamabad’s struggle to secure affordable energy supplies amid high prices and regional shipping uncertainty.
Pakistan’s latest fuel price increase has pushed petrol to Rs393.35 and diesel to Rs380.19 per litre, sparking widespread criticism from consumers, unions and civil society. The move is expected to add fresh inflationary pressure through transport, logistics and everyday household costs.
Gold prices in Pakistan recovered on Sunday, April 26, 2026, with the per-tola rate rising by Rs2,300 to reach Rs493,162 as bullion regained ground after a week of declines from an April 18 peak of Rs506,062. The weekend rebound was supported by improved international sentiment, though prices remain historically elevated amid ongoing Middle East geopolitical uncertainty and sustained domestic inflationary pressures.
A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court against the government’s latest fuel price increase, arguing that the Rs26.77 per litre hike in petrol and diesel is unjustified and inflationary. The case adds legal pressure to an already controversial economic decision affecting transport, household expenses and broader market costs.
Gold prices in Pakistan rose sharply on April 25, with the per-tola rate increasing by Rs2,300 to Rs493,162 and 10 grams reaching Rs422,806. The jump followed gains in the international bullion market and renewed attention on precious metals as a savings and safe-haven asset.
OGDC says it has received Rs7.725 billion as the tenth monthly interest installment from Power Holding under the government’s circular debt settlement plan. The payment keeps a key energy-sector repayment schedule on track, though broader reforms are still needed to stop debt from building up again.
Pakistan has confirmed the full repayment of $3.45 billion in deposits to the UAE, ending a closely watched external liability at a sensitive time for reserves. The move may support Pakistan's credibility with lenders, but attention is now shifting to how quickly reserve buffers can be rebuilt.
Gallup Pakistan's latest business confidence survey shows a sharp fall in private-sector sentiment in the first quarter of 2026 as firms faced higher energy costs, inflation and spillover from regional tensions. Businesses reported weaker current conditions, darker expectations and growing concern over governance, power outages and rising operating expenses.
Pakistan has received its first Kyrgyz shipment through a China-linked route via the Khunjerab Pass, with the cargo reaching Sost dry port in Gilgit-Baltistan. The move opens an alternative trade corridor for Central Asia and strengthens Pakistan’s push to become a regional transit hub connected to Karachi’s ports.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed officials to accelerate local battery production, expand EV charging infrastructure and make storage more accessible for surplus solar electricity. The move signals a broader shift toward linking transport electrification with energy security, domestic manufacturing and grid modernization in Pakistan.
A Gallup Pakistan survey released on April 23 found that 81pc of businesses say regional tensions are hurting them, mainly through rising fuel and energy costs. The findings show weakening business confidence, worsening expectations and growing concern that external shocks are deepening economic pressure across Pakistan.
Pakistan has issued its first spot LNG tender since December 2023, seeking three cargoes to shore up electricity generation as summer demand rises and regional supply risks persist. The move underlines Islamabad’s continued dependence on imported gas despite efforts to lean more heavily on solar and domestic energy sources.
