Pakistan’s oil marketing companies are awaiting the release of Rs. 107 billion in outstanding price differential claims (PDCs), with industry officials warning that continued delays could threaten both corporate liquidity and the country’s fuel supply chain.
According to a national daily, the claims have been accumulating since mid-March 2026, but the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority has yet to process the payments.
According to industry representatives, instead of settling the claims, the regulator has continued issuing revised documentation requirements, including a new format issued as recently as last night, creating further procedural uncertainty and delaying disbursements.
They said the sector is already facing growing financial pressure due to a sharp rise in working capital requirements amid higher international oil prices linked to ongoing regional tensions.
As a result, companies are increasingly relying on commercial borrowing to sustain day to day operations. Industry officials also raised concerns over a proposal to withhold 10 percent of any PDC disbursement pending reconciliation with the Federal Board of Revenue, saying this could impose an additional Rs. 7.4 billion burden on the sector.
They warned that the delays are already tightening supply chain credit and putting the financial viability of several OMCs at risk, which could eventually disrupt fuel supplies across the country.
Officials urged the Ministry of Energy to intervene immediately, direct OGRA to clear all pending claims, and withdraw the proposed withholding measure to avoid further strain on the sector.
