Islamabad:
The oil industry has sounded the alarm for an imminent scarcity of fuel in Lahore due to restrictions on the movement of oil tankers. The Advisory Council of Petroleum Companies (OCAC), which represents refineries, oil marketing companies (WTOs) and a pipe firm, expressed concern about the prohibition of the heavy vehicle transit police of 6: 00 am to 11:00 pm, which has also affected oil and lubricant (poly) oil.
This restriction has severely interrupted fuel deliveries to more than 400 gasoline pumps in Lahore, a city with a population of more than 5 million. The OCAC pointed out that Karachi, which enforces a similar prohibition, exempts the tankers, allowing an uninterrupted fuel supply.
In a formal appeal for the main secretary of Punjab, the OCAC requested an urgent exemption for POL oil in Lahore to avoid a full -fledged fuel crisis and guarantee public convenience. The Council urged the provincial government to immediately review their advice and protect the city’s fuel supply chain.
In November 2024, Lahore faced a similar situation when the ongoing protests of Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) led to significant road blockages, causing severe interruption in the supply of oil products in Punjab, including LaHore and the Twin cities.
Khawaja Aatif, secretary of the Association of Petroleum Distributors, had stressed that Lahore’s daily consumption exceeds 5 million liters, and total daily consumption in Punjab is close to 50 million liters.
In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Petroleum had sent a letter to the Chief Secretary of Punjab, requesting immediate measures to address the shortage.
The letter specifically requested the restoration of the crude oil supply of the Atock Oil Refinery to guarantee an uninterrupted fuel supply throughout the province.
