Journalists question closed-door fuel price briefing

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 18 July 2026 |  JP Staff Report

Senior journalists criticised a government briefing after ministers announced shifting petroleum price-setting to OGRA and proposed daily adjustments. Energy reporters said they were not invited, prompting calls to reveal who attended the briefing.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s decision to announce a major change in the petroleum pricing mechanism has sparked criticism from senior journalists after reporters covering the energy sector said they were not invited to the government's press conference.

The controversy emerged after Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Information Minister Ataullah Tarar announced that the government would shift petroleum price determination to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), with prices to be set daily in line with international market movements. Within hours, however, the government indicated it was reconsidering the daily pricing proposal following public reaction.

Energy reporters question access

Several senior journalists publicly questioned why reporters assigned to the energy beat were not informed of or invited to the briefing, despite its significance for consumers and the economy.

Dawn's veteran economic correspondent, Khaleeq Kiani, challenged the government to disclose the identities and media organizations of those present at what he described as an "alleged press conference." In posts on X, he argued that if federal ministers could not face questions from reporters in Islamabad, they should consider resigning. He also questioned why the briefing was held without notifying journalists who regularly cover the petroleum sector.

Journalist Saqib Bashir similarly questioned who was seated before the ministers during the event, saying he could not identify any of the attendees as members of the press. In a separate post, he suggested it should be clarified whether some attendees were government employees rather than journalists.

Calls for greater transparency

Economic journalist Shahbaz Rana said the announcement represented a significant policy shift that warranted an open press conference where journalists could ask questions. He argued that a decision affecting fuel pricing nationwide should not have been communicated through what appeared to be a pre-recorded presentation from Pakistan Television headquarters.

The criticism reflects broader concerns within Pakistan's media community over access to official information and opportunities to question policymakers directly, particularly on issues with major public and economic implications. While the government has publicly promoted transparency in the revised pricing mechanism, journalists argued that transparency should also extend to media access and official briefings.

WHY THIS MATTERS: Open press conferences allow journalists to scrutinize government decisions, seek clarification, and hold public officials accountable. Limiting access to reporters covering specialized beats risks undermining transparency and reducing opportunities for informed public questioning on policies with widespread national impact.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting by JournalismPakistan, based on publicly available statements by journalists on X on July 17, 2026, and official reporting on the government's petroleum pricing announcement.

PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only.