Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
A high-level review of the oil supply situation said on Tuesday that fuel cargoes for March and April have been largely secured, while authorities also implemented plans for stricter fuel management and cost-saving measures amid growing global energy pressures.
The fuel situation was discussed at multiple engagements and official meetings as the Petrol Price Monitoring Committee, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, reviewed stocks, import modalities and international market trends after the Eid holidays.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the committee was informed that goods arrivals were continuing as planned and that gasoline shipments for March and April had “been largely secured”, with additional shipments planned to further bolster supply reserves.
Overall stocks were described as remaining at comfortable levels, supported by secure import agreements and continued production. Officials said supply lines from import terminals to refineries, warehouses and retail outlets were operating in a stable and orderly manner.
The committee undertook a forward-looking assessment of the national oil supply outlook, examining the availability of stocks of crude oil and refined petroleum products across the energy value chain.
Refineries would be operating at steady production levels and efforts were underway to maintain optimal throughput and ensure efficient processing of incoming crude. Officials noted that cargo flows continued as planned despite changing global geopolitical conditions.
Alongside supply stability, the government has also advanced discussions on demand management. Sources said the federal government was working on introducing a digital rationing system for oil distribution through a mobile application.
Under the proposed mechanism, citizens would be required to register their vehicles and identity information. Each citizen would be allocated a fuel quota based on their needs and availability, allowing them to access a fixed daily supply of gasoline or diesel through the app.
The proposal to include provincial governments in oil subsidy deals was also under consideration, with the prime minister hoping to give confidence to the president on extending the subsidy burden as part of broader fiscal adjustments in fuel price support.
The energy situation has also sparked discussions about conservation at the provincial level. Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said the government was considering “smart lockdown” as part of fuel-saving measures in response to the global oil crisis.
He said the government’s austerity measures had already reduced fuel consumption allowances for official vehicles by 60%. He urged citizens to limit unnecessary travel to save fuel.
At the federal level, austerity measures had already been introduced earlier, including reductions in fuel allocations for official vehicles and adjustments to public sector working arrangements, as well as calls for fuel conservation to avoid disruption to oil supply chains.
During the Oil Price Monitoring Committee meeting, participants were briefed on international energy market conditions, with officials highlighting new global price signals and their implications for domestic prices.
Chairing the meeting, the Finance Minister said proactive planning, diversified procurement and close coordination among stakeholders had enabled Pakistan to maintain a stable domestic supply position despite global volatility.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb asked relevant authorities to continue vigilant monitoring of international developments, inventory levels and supply chain dynamics to ensure prompt and coordinated responses.
He reiterated that ensuring uninterrupted availability of petroleum products remained the government’s top priority, emphasizing sustained coordination and prudent planning to maintain market stability and safeguard national energy security.
Officials also noted that despite rising fuel prices, consumption had not declined but instead increased, strengthening the case for stricter management measures such as quota-based allocation systems and broader conservation efforts under consideration.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Energy Awais Leghari, Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Chaudhary, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani and senior officials of relevant ministries.
