Senator Dinesh Kumar Suggests Legalizing Iranian Fuel Trade to Reduce Petrol Prices

ISLAMABAD (News Report) — A controversial proposal regarding fuel prices and economic activity in Balochistan emerged during a Senate session, where Senator Dinesh Kumar urged the government to allow the legal import and sale of Iranian petrol in Pakistan.
Speaking during the session, Senator Dinesh Kumar said that granting people in Balochistan permission to bring petrol from Iran under a regulated border trade system could help reduce fuel prices in the country while also creating employment opportunities in border regions.
Proposal to lower fuel prices
The senator claimed that if Iranian petrol is imported and sold within a proper legal framework, petrol prices in Pakistan could drop to around Rs300 per litre, offering significant relief to consumers compared to current market rates.
He further argued that the proposed system could help reduce the outflow of foreign exchange from the country, which would be beneficial given Pakistan’s current economic challenges.
Economic opportunities for border areas
According to Senator Dinesh Kumar, informal cross-border trade already exists in many areas of Balochistan. He suggested that converting such activities into a regulated and lawful business model could strengthen the local economy and provide sustainable business opportunities to residents.
The senator added that the benefits of cheaper fuel would not remain limited to Balochistan alone, as consumers in Punjab and other provinces could also gain access to relatively lower-priced petrol.
Concerns over implementation
However, experts believe that before implementing such a proposal, the government would need to carefully consider legal, security, and international trade policy implications. Analysts noted that cross-border fuel trade involves several regulatory and enforcement challenges that would require comprehensive planning and oversight.