Fuel supply from Attock Oil Refinery has resumed after authorities restored the movement of oil tankers, easing concerns over shortages in northern Pakistan.
The refinery had shut down its main crude distillation unit after road closures disrupted the transport of crude oil and refined products. The restrictions were imposed due to the expected arrival of foreign delegates in Islamabad, which halted tanker movement for several days.
The restoration of transport came after intervention from Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and support from the General Headquarters (GHQ). Refinery management confirmed that road access was reopened late at night, allowing operations to gradually resume.
During the disruption, Attock Refinery was unable to receive crude oil or dispatch fuel, forcing it to halt operations at its main unit with a capacity of 32,400 barrels per day. The shutdown raised concerns about fuel availability across central and northern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan.
Stocks of Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel had built up at the refinery due to dispatch constraints, while crude oil supplies declined sharply, leading to the operational halt.
Officials had warned that prolonged restrictions could result in fuel shortages, including a potential shortage of jet fuel at Islamabad and Peshawar airports.
With the lifting of restrictions, supply risks have eased, and refinery officials expect production to return to normal levels soon.