The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) on Thursday cautioned that petrol pumps across the country have only about 50 percent of their usual fuel supply remaining and could begin shutting down from Monday if deliveries are not restored soon.
According to the association’s Central Secretary General, Chaudhry Irfan Elahi, the supply situation has worsened significantly. He said diesel availability has dropped to nearly 20 percent of its normal level, while petrol supplies have also been severely affected.
PPDA Lahore President Jehanzaib Malik urged the government to immediately ensure a steady fuel supply to retail outlets. He criticized authorities for focusing inspections on petrol pumps rather than checking supply depots where the actual shortage issues may originate. Malik warned that if the situation is not resolved quickly and supplies remain limited, petrol pumps across the country may start closing from Monday.
Central Punjab President Nauman Majeed also expressed concern, stating that petrol supply to pumps has already been reduced by around 50 percent. He further alleged that some private companies have begun hoarding petroleum products, which is worsening the supply crisis.
Earlier this week, the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighting the worsening situation. The association stated that restricted fuel deliveries were making it difficult for retail outlets to meet the growing demand from the public.
Meanwhile, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) maintained that the country still has sufficient reserves and can manage around 28 days of fuel consumption due to earlier surplus imports.
However, the supply chain has been disrupted after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the recent US-Israel attack on Iran. Several oil cargoes are currently stranded as a result. The route is crucial for major exporters such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq, which ship oil mainly to Asian markets including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
Read more: Is Pakistan’s Govt Hiding Fuel Stock Reality amid Shortage Fears?
