A new controversy has emerged regarding the stock of petroleum products in Pakistan. Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has raised questions on the data of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), saying that the public is being misled about petroleum reserves in the country.
How many days’ stock is left?
PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan said that the stock of petroleum products in the country is sufficient only for 14 days, which is completely different from the claims of OGRA. He warned that if the supply disruption continues, the situation at petrol pumps across the country could become more serious.
What did the Dealers Association tell?
The Dealers Association also said that if the situation does not improve, there may be a need to close petrol pumps across Pakistan. According to Abdul Sami Khan, the ban on import of petrol and diesel from Iran has put additional pressure on oil marketing companies. Along with this, the quota system implemented for distribution of petroleum products has also increased the supply related problems. However, OGRA has appealed to the people to avoid panic. The authority says that there are sufficient reserves of petroleum products in the country and people should not buy fuel unnecessarily.
Petroleum dealers demanded to provide security
In view of the possible crisis, petroleum dealers have asked the Sindh Inspector General of Police (IG) to provide security to petrol pumps so that any chaos can be avoided and operations remain normal.
What did OMAP fear?
Meanwhile, Oil Marketing Association of Pakistan (OMAP) has also expressed fear of disruption in fuel supply across the country. In a letter issued from Lahore, OMAP said local refineries were reneging on previously agreed supply commitments. According to the association, oil marketing companies had made their supply plans on the assumption that domestic refineries would provide petroleum products as per the quantity decided in the product review meeting. But the refineries did not supply as per that commitment.
Oil marketing companies exposed
Tariq Wazir Ali, chairman of the Group of Oil Marketing Companies, said many companies did not arrange for imported cargo because they were assured that local refineries would meet demand. However, later the refineries implemented a new system of distribution of petroleum products without coordination with the oil marketing companies. Under the new system, companies are getting much less petroleum products than expected. OMAP has warned that alternative supply sources are also not easily available at the moment, which may make it difficult to maintain stable availability of fuel in the market.