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Pakistan Fuel Crisis: Petrol Pumps Threaten Nationwide Shutdown Over Supply Cuts

The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association has issued a stark warning that petrol pumps across the country may begin shutting down within days due to severe supply cuts from oil marketing companies. Diesel supply has plummeted to just 20%, while petrol supply has been halved, leading to sharp price increases. Association leaders accuse some private firms of hoarding products and urge the government to ensure adequate deliveries to stations. In response, the government has ordered inspections of retail outlets and maintains that adequate national stocks exist, while also considering a shift to weekly petrol pricing.

Key Points: Pakistan Petrol Pumps May Shut Down Within Days, Dealers Warn

  • Diesel supply dropped to 20%
  • Petrol prices rose by PKR 35
  • Private firms accused of hoarding
  • Govt orders inspections of stations
  • Weekly petrol pricing considered
3 min read

Pakistan: Dealers warn petrol pumps may shut within days if supply is not restored

Pakistan Petroleum Dealers warn of nationwide petrol pump shutdowns as supply is cut. Diesel supply at 20%, prices surge. Government urges inspections.

"If the government does not restore supply, petrol pumps will start shutting down from Monday. - Jehanzaib Malik"

Islamabad, March 6

Leaders of the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association have warned that petrol pumps across the country may start shutting down within the next few days after several petroleum firms have cut their supplies, local media reported.

Addressing media at the Lahore Press Club, the association's Central Secretary General Chaudhry Irfan Elahi stated the situation had become alarming due to reducing supply of fuel, Pakistan's leading daily 'The Express Tribune' reported. He revealed that diesel supply has dropped to just 20 per cent and supplies of petrol have also been cut.

Elahi said that fuel prices were increasing due to the disruption. Petrol prices have risen by up to Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 35 and diesel by PKR 17.

Central Punjab President of PPDA Nauman Majeed admitted that petrol supply has been reduced by 50 per cent and claimed that some private firms have begun hoarding petroleum products.

PPDA Lahore President Jehanzaib Malik requested the government to ensure appropriate fuel deliveries to petrol pumps. Malik said, "Our demand is that supply should be provided according to our requirements," adding, "Oil marketing companies have stopped supply."

Malik slammed government inspections on petrol stations instead of supply depots. He said dealers do not want people to face problems due to fuel shortages.

Jehanzaib Malik said, "If the government does not restore supply, petrol pumps will start shutting down from Monday." He further mentioned that companies have halted the supply of petroleum products to push for a rise in prices.

On Thursday, Pakistan's federal government urged all the provincial governments to ensure physical inspection and monitoring of retail petrol stations through respective Deputy Commissioners to avoid hoarding of petroleum products for undue profiteering, Pakistan's another leading daily 'Dawn' reported.

The Pakistani government has appointed Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh, a Grade-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, as the Petroleum Division Secretary, a position which was vacant for the past couple of months. In a statement, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) stated the government had assured people that Pakistan currently had adequate stocks of petroleum products to meet national demand and there was no need for panic buying or hoarding, Dawn reported.

Pakistan government is considering to shift the petrol pricing mechanism from the current fortnightly basis to a weekly basis. The government is also mulling providing financial cover to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to ensure adequate product imports and shifting the government and private sector to work-from-home to reduce oil consumption.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Very sad to hear. Ordinary citizens always suffer the most in these administrative and supply chain failures. The government's assurance about adequate stocks and the dealers' warning don't match up. Someone isn't telling the truth.
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Aditya G
Hoarding by private firms during a crisis is the worst. This is why strong regulatory bodies are essential. OGRA needs to step up its game. Reminds us to be grateful for the relative stability in our fuel supply, despite the high prices. 🙏
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Priyanka N
The proposal to shift to weekly pricing and work-from-home is interesting. It shows they are looking for short-term fixes, but the core issue seems to be distribution and hoarding. Inspecting petrol pumps instead of depots is just passing the buck.
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Karthik V
Economic mismanagement has consequences. When supply drops to 20%, it's a full-blown crisis. This will hit transport, agriculture, and industry hard. Feel for the average Pakistani who just wants to go about their day without this hassle.
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Nisha Z
Appointing a new secretary after the post was vacant for months is a classic reactive move. The problem was brewing. Leadership needs to be proactive. Basic commodities like fuel should never be subject to this level of uncertainty.

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