Islamabad:
The petroleum industry sounded the alarm on an imminent fuel shortage in Lahore due to restrictions on the oil movement. The Advisory Council for Oil Companies (OCAC), representing refineries, petroleum marketing companies (WTO) and a pipeline company, expressed its concerns about the prohibition of traffic police on heavy vehicles from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. , which also had an impact on oil and lubricant oil (POL).
This restriction has seriously disrupted fuel deliveries to more than 400 petrol pumps in Lahore, a city with a population greater than 5 million. The OCAC noted that Karachi, who applies a similar ban, exempt from Pol oil trees, allowing an uninterrupted fuel diet.
In an official call to the chief secretary of Punjab, the OCAC called for an urgent exemption for POL oiliers in Lahore to prevent a full -fledged fuel crisis and ensure the convenience of the public. The Council urged the provincial government to immediately examine its opinion and protect the city’s fuel supply chain.
In November 2024, Lahore was confronted with a similar situation when demonstrations underway by Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) led to significant road blockages, causing serious disruption in the supply of oil products through Punjab, including Lahore and twin cities.
Khawaja Aafif, secretary to Petroleum Dealers Association, stressed that the daily consumption of Lahore exceeds 5 million liters and that 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 action to face the shortage.
The letter has specifically called for the restoration of the crude oil supply of the Attock oil refinery to ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply throughout the province.
