The Federal Investigation Agency has launched multiple inquiries into alleged irregularities involving oil storage licences, fuel stock reporting, and petroleum-related financial claims exceeding ₨10 billion across the country. The investigation focuses on possible violations linked to storage approvals, inventory misreporting, and suspected misuse of regulatory procedures within the petroleum supply chain. Authorities said the probe aims to determine accountability in licensing, compliance, and financial transparency across key energy institutions.
According to details, the FIA Karachi Circle is conducting two separate investigations involving officials from the Petroleum Division and the Department of Explosives. In one case, the role of a senior official in the Petroleum Division is under review, while another inquiry examines former Director General Explosives Ali Khan over alleged illegal issuance and renewal of petroleum and chemical storage licences in Karachi. Investigators are assessing whether procedural rules were bypassed during licensing approvals and amendments.
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Additionally, the FIA has questioned Deputy Director Muhammad Mubeen Ahmed and Assistant Director Raj Kumar over alleged violations of the Petroleum Rules 1937 and internal regulatory requirements. Officials stated that preliminary findings suggest several licence grants and renewals may have been irregular and potentially unlawful. Consequently, investigators are reviewing whether these approvals should be suspended or cancelled based on compliance failures and documentation gaps.
Meanwhile, the agency is also probing an oil marketing company over alleged misreporting of petroleum stock levels and suspected concealment of fuel inventories at Karachi terminals. Inspection data revealed discrepancies of 6,891 metric tonnes in high-speed diesel, 8,117 metric tonnes in motor gasoline, and 5,010 metric tonnes in high-octane blended components compared to official reports submitted to industry regulators and advisory councils.
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The FIA described these gaps as serious red flags indicating possible hoarding, data manipulation, and concealment of fuel stocks within the supply chain. Moreover, investigators alleged that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority failed to take timely corrective action after being informed of the discrepancies and instead treated them as clerical errors, raising concerns over regulatory oversight and enforcement effectiveness in the sector.
In further findings, the agency accused the oil marketing company of selling imported petroleum products before completing customs clearance and tax payments, including petroleum levies and duty obligations. The inquiry also examined price differential claims worth ₨2.98 billion and ₨7.1 billion, while noting that proceedings were temporarily halted after intervention by the Sindh High Court following a legal petition filed by the company involved.