Pakistan will likely face a fuel shortage as oil marketing companies have stopped supplying petroleum products to petrol pumps ahead of a price hike scheduled for July 1st. Despite receiving advance payments, these companies have halted deliveries.
Khawaja Atif, Senior Secretary General of the Petroleum Dealers Association, revealed that tanker trucks ready to leave oil depots had their loads canceled.
“If this situation continues, there will be a severe petrol shortage at pumps throughout Lahore and across the nation, potentially causing conflicts at petrol stations,” Atif warned.
He blamed the supply halt on the expected price increase, accusing oil companies of profiting.
On the other hand, Tariq Wazir Ali, Chairman of the Oil Marketing Companies Association, stated that oil marketing companies are experiencing a shortage of supplies from oil refineries. “Without supplies from the refineries, we cannot meet the petrol demand at the pumps. We have formally communicated this issue to the Chairman of OGRA, highlighting our supply constraints. If this continues, petrol supply will be severely affected,” he stressed.
The Senior Secretary of the Petroleum Dealers Association dismissed these claims, suggesting collusion between oil marketing companies and refineries. “They are conspiring to maximize profits together. Delays in supply and subsequent price hikes will only benefit those holding millions of liters in storage,” he alleged.
