Pakistan government crisis: what is happening in kp, punjab and petrol prices today

Pakistan is going through a tense time. Politics is heated, fuel is getting more expensive, and the federal government and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are in open conflict. If you feel confused by all the headlines, this post explains the main points in simple words.

The short version

The federal government is led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of the PML-N party.
KP is run by PTI, with Sohail Afridi as Chief Minister.
Punjab is run by Maryam Nawaz of the PML-N.
Petrol has crossed Rs398 per litre.
There is open talk of governor’s rule in KP.

Who runs what?

Pakistan has a federal government in Islamabad and four provincial governments. Each province has its own Chief Minister. Right now the three big players are on different sides: the federal government and Punjab belong to PML-N, while KP belongs to PTI. This is why they clash so often.

What is happening in KP?

PTI’s long march started on October 4 and is still moving inside KP. The main demand is the release of jailed leader Imran Khan.

At the same time, the federal government is unhappy with the KP government. Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the KP government has failed to keep law and order and that terrorists are moving freely in the province. PTI does not agree with this.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that terrorism in KP must be stopped “at all costs”. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said that an emergency or governor’s rule would be imposed if the Prime Minister and the President think it is needed to save the province.

What is governor’s rule? It means the central government takes over the running of a province for some time. It is a very big step, and it can only be taken by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Chief Minister Afridi says he is not afraid of it and has accused the governor of acting against the Constitution.

What is the role of Punjab?

Punjab is the biggest province and the home of the ruling party. Because the KP march wants to go towards Islamabad, it would have to pass through Punjab, and a federal minister has already said it will not be allowed to enter Punjab or Islamabad.

PTI supporters often say that Punjab and the federal government are not fair to KP. In 2025, for example, a Punjab ban on wheat supply to KP caused a big outcry. The KP governor himself condemned it. The PML-N says it is only doing its job and following the law. Both sides blame each other, and we are only reporting what each side says.

Petrol price: the biggest worry for common people

Fuel is the thing most people feel in their pocket. According to Pakistani news websites, petrol was Rs266.17 per litre on March 1, 2026. It then reached a peak of Rs458.41 on April 3. After that it came down, but it is still very high.

In the first week of October the price moved up almost every day. On October 9, petrol was increased by Rs2.31 and the new rate became Rs398.96 per litre. Diesel is at Rs395.72 per litre. The price may change again, so please check the latest rate before you fill your tank.

Why is it so high? Pakistan buys most of its oil from other countries, so any rise in international prices hits us quickly. The IMF has also noted that Pakistan gets nearly 90 percent of its energy imports from the Middle East, which has been hit by war this year.

What about inflation?

Inflation means prices of everyday things going up. The IMF expects Pakistan’s average inflation to be 8.4 percent in the current financial year, which is higher than last year (7 percent) and also above the government’s target. The good news is that the IMF expects it to come down in the coming years, if the government keeps its reforms going.

What happens next?

KP’s march will announce its next plan soon, and the federal government may respond with talks or with tough steps like governor’s rule.
Fuel prices will keep changing with international oil rates.
Both PTI and the goverment say they want to solve the problems, but so far neither side has given way.

For ordinary people, the best thing is to stay informed from trusted sources and avoid rumours on social media.

This is a developing story, and details may change. We will keep you updated.