According to reports, following are the latest updates on the ongoing energy crises and fuel supply disruptions in parts of the APAC region, as of Saturday (04 April);

• Pakistan: The fuel crisis in Pakistan has escalated, with the government announcing a hike in retail rates to curb the PKR 129 billion rupee subsidy. High-speed diesel prices were raised by 54.9 percent to PKR 520.35 per litre, while petrol surged by 42.7 percent to PKR 458.40. To manage the resulting electricity and fuel shortage, the government has maintained a four-day work week and implemented strict energy rationing across all major urban centers.
• Bangladesh: In Bangladesh, the Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) implemented an increase in LPG prices, with the cost of a standard 12kg cylinder jumping by TK 387 to reach TK 1,728. In response, the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced emergency austerity measures, reducing office hours for both public and private sectors (0900 hours to 1600 hours local time) and ordering all markets and shopping malls to shut down by 1800 hours local time to conserve the national power grid.
• Malaysia: The Malaysian government has implemented a temporary cap on subsidized RON 95 fuel (BUDI95), limiting eligibility to 200 litres per month per person, down from the previous 300-litre limit. This policy, confirmed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is a direct response to the global supply crunch caused by the Strait of Hormuz crisis and is intended to curb smuggling while prioritizing domestic consumers.
• Japan: Japan has entered the new fiscal year with record-high energy costs, leading the government to reintroduce emergency subsidies of JPY 30.20 per litre for petroleum suppliers to prevent retail gasoline from exceeding JPY 190 per litre. Beyond fuel, a significant policy shift took effect this week as the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) temporarily relaxed operating rules for coal-fired power plants to preserve LNG stocks, which have been hit by rising spot prices.
• South Korea: South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy convened emergency meetings to brace for a “prolonged wartime situation” in the energy markets, despite diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East conflict. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan confirmed that the government will maintain fuel price caps and continue the current fuel tax cut framework through the end of the month to shield consumers from Brent crude prices that have surged past USD 100 per barrel.