There is apprehension about petrol and diesel availability beginning to rise across the country as petroleum dealers have reported that oil marketing companies have reduced the availability of petroleum products in various cities, which is likely to cause a shortage of petrol in some areas in the coming days.
With the current state of tension between the US and Iran, crude oil prices in the international market are also volatile, which has also begun to impact the local market in Pakistan, according to representatives of the petroleum sector. Several petrol pumps are being supplied less petrol and less diesel than normal as per the reports, owing to a petrol and diesel shortage in the supply and limited allocation of petrol and diesel.
If the situation goes on as it is and the supply of petrol and diesel does not improve in the near future, consumers in many cities could have trouble getting petrol or diesel, according to the petroleum dealers. They say that due to limited supply, reserves at some pumps are rapidly decreasing.
Oil marketing companies have started the process of allocating quotas to all petrol pumps, and the companies are providing them limited quantities rather than allocating full quantities as per their demand,’ said Amir Khan, President of the Sindh Petroleum Dealers Association.
He said petrol pump owners and consumers are both struggling with business problems because of the scarcity of petrol as well. If the situation doesn’t improve, petrol and diesel stocks could dwindle rapidly in places, and the situation could get more complicated in the event of unnecessary purchases and hoarding, he said.
Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) Vice Chairman Tariq Hassan also voiced concerns over the inadequate supply of petrol at petrol pumps across the country as it will impact fuel availability.
He called for the government, the Ministry of Energy, and the relevant regulatory authorities to provide clear information on the availability of petroleum stocks in the country, the import situation, and the supply chain to be made available to the public to remove the uncertainty. He further asked oil marketing companies to make sure of the availability of oil at petrol pumps according to the demand.
When there are global geopolitical tensions, this worry rises with the price of crude oil and supply chain disruptions, but it is the strategic reserves in the country as well as import schedules and supply management that determine the situation in the local market, say energy experts.
Consumers were also urged not to make unnecessary purchases or stockpiles, as there can be a surge in demand during such a situation, which can strain the supply. The natural shortage can be prevented if supply is normal, they say.
The government or the authorities have yet to officially declare a shortage of petrol or diesel throughout the country, but the petroleum dealers have called for steps to be taken to improve the situation. The next couple of days, with instructions from the agencies concerned as well as the supply situation, will dictate the course of the matter.