Refineries agree to freeze JP-1 prices for Hajj flights, SKO and JP-8 rates for armed forces until June-end

ISLAMABAD:Pakistan’s refineries have agreed to continue supplying JP-1 fuel for Hajj flights and SKO and JP-8 fuels for the Armed Forces and Pakistan Air Force at March 1, 2026 prices until June 30 amid volatile global oil markets.

According to available documents, an official Office Memorandum was issued by the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) on May 12, 2026, following a meeting held on May 11, 2026, at the Petroleum Division.

The memorandum stated: “Local refineries have agreed to continue the current arrangement for the remaining months of FY 2025-26 ending on 30th June 2026.”

 The document further stated: “Refineries would continue supplying SKO and JP-8 to Armed Forces/PAF at prices prevailing on 1st March 2026.”

It added: “JP-1 for Hajj flights would also be supplied at prices prevailing on 1st March 2026.”

The decision followed deliberations in meetings of the National Coordination Management Committee (NCMC), where concerns were discussed regarding the pricing formula of SKO, JP-1 and JP-8 fuels. Subsequently, refinery chief executives and managing directors were consulted before finalizing the arrangement.

The Petroleum Division directed major refineries — including PARCO, Cnergyico, National Refinery Limited (NRL), Attock Refinery Limited (ARL) and Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) — to ensure implementation of the agreed pricing mechanism.

SKO, or Superior Kerosene Oil, is widely used in Pakistan for domestic heating and cooking in remote and northern areas where piped gas infrastructure is unavailable. It is also considered a strategic fuel because of its use in defense-related logistics and operations.

JP-8 is a specialized military-grade jet propulsion fuel primarily used by the Pakistan Air Force and other defense aviation platforms. The fuel is designed for combat aircraft and military operations requiring high-performance aviation fuel standards.

JP-1, meanwhile, is aviation turbine fuel used for commercial and special flight operations, including Hajj flights transporting thousands of Pakistani pilgrims to Saudi Arabia every year.

Industry sources said that the continuation of March-level pricing is aimed at protecting sensitive national operations from sudden spikes in global oil prices, especially during the ongoing Hajj season and amid regional geopolitical uncertainty.

The memorandum was issued by Director General (Oil) Imran Ahmed and copies were sent to Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Petroleum Secretary Hamad Yaqoob Sheikh, OGRA Chairman Barrister Nabeel Awan, Secretary Religious Affairs Abrar Ahmed Mirza, senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, and SIFC authorities.