ISLAMABAD: A notification circulating on social media claiming a sharp reduction in fuel prices has been declared fake by authorities, as confusion spread among the public over alleged changes in petroleum rates.
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The viral document falsely claimed that petrol prices had been reduced by Rs78 per litre to Rs300.41, while diesel prices were allegedly cut by Rs100 per litre to Rs420.35. The announcement quickly gained traction online, prompting widespread discussion and speculation.
However, officials have now confirmed that the notification is completely fabricated. According to the Ministry of Petroleum, no official announcement regarding a change in fuel prices has been issued.
A spokesperson for the ministry urged the public and media outlets to avoid sharing unverified information, warning that fake news related to petroleum pricing can create unnecessary confusion and market instability.
The clarification comes after some media reports also briefly circulated similar claims before being corrected. Authorities reiterated that any official revision in petroleum product prices is always announced through a formal government press release.
Officials stressed that decisions regarding fuel prices are made through established regulatory processes and are communicated transparently to the public once finalized.
The incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation on digital platforms, where fake documents and misleading posts can quickly go viral before being verified. Experts say such incidents often lead to public uncertainty, especially on sensitive economic issues such as fuel prices.
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The government has previously taken steps to counter misinformation and has urged citizens to rely only on official sources for updates on economic and policy matters. As of now, petroleum prices remain unchanged, and no new notification has been issued regarding any reduction in rates.