Pakistan’s oil industry has warned the government about the growing risk of localized Petrol shortages across the country. The warning comes as fuel stocks remain low, imported cargoes face customs delays, and oil marketing companies struggle with financial pressures.
The Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) sent a letter marked “Most Urgent” to Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik. In the letter, the industry body requested immediate government action to prevent possible supply disruptions in the coming days.
According to OCAC, Pakistan currently has around 370,000 metric tons of Petrol in stock. This amount is equal to about 15 days of national consumption under normal conditions. However, the council said the actual available supply is lower because recently imported fuel is still waiting for customs clearance.
The industry explained that delays in the WEBOC customs clearance system have prevented imported fuel from reaching the domestic market. As a result, available inventories are tighter than official figures suggest.
OCAC said three imported Petrol cargoes are expected to arrive between July 15 and July 17. The council stressed that these shipments must be cleared quickly to avoid supply problems, especially in upcountry areas where fuel demand remains high.
The industry also pointed to another challenge affecting fuel supplies. A planned Pakistan State Oil (PSO) import cargo was not approved by the National Coordination and Management Council (NCMC) in June. According to OCAC, this decision further reduced available fuel inventories.
At the same time, expectations of rising international oil prices have increased fuel buying by dealers and consumers. Many buyers are purchasing additional fuel in anticipation of higher prices. This trend has added further pressure on already limited stocks.
OCAC also highlighted the financial difficulties facing oil marketing companies. The council said outstanding Price Differential Claims (PDC) worth Rs. 66.7 billion have not yet been paid by the government. These delayed payments have reduced the industry’s ability to finance new fuel imports.
The council warned that higher international oil prices will further increase the amount of working capital needed to import petroleum products. Without financial support, companies may struggle to maintain regular fuel supplies.
To prevent disruptions, OCAC urged the government to release the outstanding payments without delay. It also called for faster customs clearance through the WEBOC system and better support for the import and transportation of petroleum products.
Industry officials believe these steps are necessary to maintain a stable fuel supply across Pakistan. They warned that any further delays could result in localized shortages in certain regions.
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Although the country still has fuel reserves, OCAC said immediate action is needed to avoid supply interruptions. The council emphasized that timely clearance of imported cargoes and improved financial support will help ensure that Petrol remains available across the country in the days ahead.
