Imported petrol not suitable for Pakistan, claim dealers

The petroleum dealers in a letter to the federal government complained that the recently imported 120,000 tons of petrol is highly volatile and not suitable for high temperature regions like Pakistan. According to sources in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources it has been observed that the imported motor gasoline being provided in Punjab (extreme hot weather areas) is not of the quality that should be supplied to such hot regions, the letter adds.
"Its volatility is very high, that of cold regions, due to which it vaporizes and a vapor lock occurs in the pumping system of the petrol dispenser. This results in zero delivery from the dispenser nozzle and the petrol pump is unable to sell the product. This problem has been reported by Shell and Caltex outlets," the letter stated.
The product cannot be lifted by older versions of petrol dispensers since they have suction pumps. A suction pump creates negative pressure due to which the evaporation of this kind of fuel occurs, while it is still in the lines and a vapor lock is experienced at the pump (no fuel delivery). Sites where submersed pumps are located at the bottom of the fuel storage tanks installed fuel is being lifted since such pumps generate positive pressure on the fuel and hence it does not vaporize.
The dealers have requested the government to urgently treat this fuel so that its volatility could be reduced by blending it with appropriate quantity of Burane. The dealers have complained that until the imported fuel is blended they would be unable to sell it as the high volatility is resulting in increased evaporation losses to the petrol pump owners. The situation needs to be resolved immediately.
However, when contacted Secretary Ministry of Petroleum, Muhammad Ijaz Chaudhary categorically rejected the notion that petrol being imported is highly volatile. He said that Pakistan State Oil (PSO) was importing petrol and the quality of the oil is at par with Pakistan's requirements. The Secretary said that Pakistan's total petrol imports in June would be 155,000 tons, adding that 35,000 tons reached Karachi on June 9, 50,000 tons on June 16, 35,000 tons on June 22 and another ship carrying 35,000 tons of petrol will arrive at Karachi Port on June 25-26.