Oil marketing companies (OMCs) have reduced fuel supplies to petrol pumps in Pakistan, citing rising international crude oil prices and operational challenges, raising concerns over fuel availability in several parts of the country.
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According to Chaudhry Nauman Majeed, President of the Petroleum Dealers Association Central Punjab, petrol pumps received only around 50 percent of the required fuel supply on Thursday compared to normal demand.
He said the reduced supply has had a significant impact on both urban and rural areas. Around 90 percent of petrol stations in rural regions and nearly 50 percent of outlets in cities have been affected by the supply constraints, increasing the risk of temporary shortages if the situation persists.
Majeed attributed the disruption primarily to the recent surge in global crude oil prices, which has prompted oil marketing companies to limit deliveries. He urged authorities to take immediate steps to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies and prevent inconvenience to consumers.
Meanwhile, oil marketing companies offered a different explanation, saying delays in customs clearance of imported petroleum products were also affecting the supply chain. They called on the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to ensure adequate fuel availability across the country and facilitate smoother import procedures.
The companies also expressed concerns over the government’s proposed mechanism of revising petroleum product prices on a daily basis. According to industry representatives, implementing daily price adjustments would be impractical for businesses and could create uncertainty for both fuel dealers and consumers.
The latest development comes as international oil markets remain volatile due to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, contributing to fluctuations in crude oil prices and increasing pressure on fuel-importing countries such as Pakistan.
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Industry stakeholders have urged the government and regulators to resolve supply bottlenecks promptly to avoid widespread shortages and maintain stable fuel distribution across the country during the current period of elevated demand.