Pakistan Faces Petrol Shortage Risk as Fuel Stocks Fall

Pakistan’s oil industry has warned the government of a growing risk of localized petrol shortages, citing critically low fuel stocks, delayed customs clearance of imported cargoes, rising demand, and severe liquidity constraints that could disrupt supplies unless immediate action is taken.

In a letter marked “Most Urgent” to Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) said the country currently has about 370,000 metric tons of petrol, equivalent to roughly 15 days of national consumption. However, it warned that actual available stocks are lower because recently imported fuel remains stuck in customs due to delays in clearance through the WEBOC system.

The industry body said three petrol cargoes are scheduled to arrive between July 15 and July 17, making their timely clearance critical to maintaining uninterrupted supplies, particularly in upcountry markets. It added that fuel inventories were further strained after a planned Pakistan State Oil import cargo was not approved by the National Coordination and Management Council in June.

OCAC also warned that expectations of higher international oil prices have increased fuel purchases by dealers and consumers, placing additional pressure on already limited inventories.

The council said oil marketing companies are facing severe financial stress because Rs. 66.7 billion in outstanding Price Differential Claims remain unpaid. It argued that the delayed payments have weakened the industry’s ability to finance fuel imports and warned that higher global oil prices would further increase working capital requirements.

The OCAC urged the government to immediately release the outstanding claims, remove customs clearance bottlenecks, and facilitate the timely import and transportation of petroleum products. It warned that without urgent intervention, Pakistan could face localized fuel supply disruptions in the coming days.