Fears of a petrol shortage have emerged across Punjab, including Lahore, after fuel supplies were disrupted due to raids and stock inspections conducted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Pakistan Customs at major oil depots. The inspections reportedly delayed the clearance and dispatch of oil tankers, interrupting the regular supply of petrol to filling stations across the province.
According to industry sources, several petrol pumps in Lahore and other cities did not receive their scheduled fuel deliveries on Friday. Petrol pump operators warned that many filling stations are currently relying on limited fuel reserves, which may only be sufficient to meet demand through the day. If supplies are not restored quickly, shortages could begin affecting motorists in the coming days.
The disruption was particularly noticeable at the Mahmood Kot and Ghatti oil depots, where no oil tankers were reportedly dispatched throughout the day. Under normal circumstances, these two facilities collectively send out more than 150 oil tankers daily to supply petrol stations across Punjab and other parts of Pakistan. Industry officials claimed that by Friday morning, not a single tanker from either depot had reached any filling station.
The situation has been further complicated by expectations of a possible reduction in petrol prices in the government’s upcoming fuel price review. According to petrol pump sources, many station owners intentionally placed smaller fuel orders in anticipation of lower prices, hoping to avoid purchasing larger quantities of higher-priced fuel before the expected price adjustment.
With tanker movement halted and fuel inventories declining, industry insiders have cautioned that prolonged disruptions could lead to supply shortages in Lahore and several other districts of Punjab. They stressed that restoring tanker dispatches as soon as possible would be critical to maintaining uninterrupted fuel availability and preventing panic buying among consumers.
So far, authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the reported supply disruptions or the possibility of a petrol shortage. Consumers and petrol pump operators continue to monitor the situation closely, while the industry awaits the resumption of normal tanker operations and further clarification from the relevant government agencies.
