Petrol dealers in Pakistan have warned of a potential fuel supply crisis. Industry representatives say petrol pumps across the country may start shutting down from Monday if fuel deliveries are not restored soon.
The warning was issued by the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA). The association said petrol stations currently have about 50 percent of their usual fuel supply available.
Dealers say the shortage could disrupt fuel availability nationwide. They are urging the government to act quickly to ensure stable petroleum supply to retail outlets.
The development comes as regional tensions affect global energy shipments and supply chains.
Petrol and Diesel Supplies Rapidly Declining
According to Chaudhry Irfan Elahi, Central Secretary General of the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, fuel stocks at petrol pumps are rapidly declining.
He said petrol pumps across Pakistan currently have around 50 percent of their usual petrol supply remaining. Diesel stocks are even lower.
Elahi stated that diesel supply has dropped to nearly 20 percent of normal levels. This sharp decline has raised concerns among transport operators and fuel retailers.
Fuel dealers say the situation could worsen if deliveries do not resume in the coming days. If the supply chain is not restored, petrol pumps may have no option but to suspend operations.
Industry representatives say many retail outlets are already struggling to meet customer demand due to declining supplies.
Dealers Urge Government to Restore Fuel Supply
Jehanzaib Malik, President of the PPDA in Lahore, urged authorities to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to petrol pumps.
Malik criticised inspection drives targeting petrol stations instead of monitoring supply depots. He argued that authorities should focus on resolving the supply problem rather than penalising retailers.
He warned that if the situation continues, petrol pumps across the country may start shutting down beginning Monday.
Another PPDA leader, Nauman Majeed, President for Central Punjab, said petrol supply to retail outlets had already dropped by nearly 50 percent.
He also alleged that some private companies were hoarding petroleum products. According to Majeed, this practice could worsen the supply shortage and increase market pressure.
Earlier, the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association sent a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighting the issue.
The association warned that restricted fuel deliveries were making it difficult for retail outlets to meet public demand.
Government Says Fuel Stocks Are Sufficient
Despite concerns raised by dealers, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) said Pakistan currently has enough fuel reserves.
According to OGRA, the country has sufficient petroleum stocks to manage around 28 days of fuel consumption.
The regulator said the reserves were secured through pre-emptive surplus imports made earlier.
However, global shipping disruptions remain a concern for future supplies.
Several fuel cargoes destined for South Asia are currently stranded due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. It is widely used by major petroleum exporters.
Countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq rely on the route to export oil and petroleum products.
Much of this fuel is shipped to Asian markets such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
Energy analysts say any prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could impact fuel supplies across the region.
For now, petrol dealers in Pakistan say immediate action is needed to prevent widespread fuel shortages and pump closures.
