The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) came out Wednesday to calm nerves and shut down talk of empty petrol pumps across the country. Ogra’s spokesperson made it plain: Pakistan has plenty of petrol and diesel in stock – enough to meet demand without any real trouble.
This reassurance came just hours after the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association sent a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The association claimed oil marketing companies were quietly limiting deliveries. They said some stations were receiving so little fuel that pumps were running dry and struggling to serve customers.
Ogra rejected these claims. The spokesperson advised people to ignore rumours and trust only official updates. Stocks are comfortably within safe limits.
However, Ogra did note one precaution. To prevent hoarding during volatile prices, oil companies might temporarily reduce deliveries to individual pumps. These limits would be based on each station’s usual sales, ensuring a steady supply. This step is standard practice and nothing unusual.
Government monitoring and guidance
Earlier, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met with the special cabinet committee that monitors fuel prices and energy supply. He emphasized that keeping petrol and diesel available nationwide is the government’s top priority. The committee tracks stock levels daily and stands ready to act if needed.
Officials reviewed supplies of crude oil, petrol, diesel, jet fuel, and LPG. They confirmed no immediate issues, but remain alert due to shifting conditions abroad.
For drivers and businesses, the message is clear: fill up normally and avoid panic buying. Rumours can create shortages faster than any real supply problem.
