The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) sent letters to oil marketing companies (OMCs) three times to ensure adequate supply of high speed diesel (HSD) and petrol in interior Sindh and Southern Punjab, in line with the directives of the federal government.
On May 25, the Petroleum Division stated that the country has a stock of 255,000 MTs useable petrol which is enough till June 4 to cater for the requirement of the country. Taking notice of reports of shortage of petrol in Karachi, the Division stated that the sufficient stock of petrol is available.
The OMCs were strictly directed to enhance their logistic movement to upcountry locations to avoid any untoward situation, the Division emphasised.
Following the directives of the Petroleum Division, the oil and gas regulator sent letters to OMCs thrice to ensure requisite stocks of petrol and HSD for uninterrupted supply of petroleum products at retails outlets. The letters were written on May 11, April 30 and April 6.
In the third letter it stated, "It is again reiterated that adequate supply of petroleum products at retail outlets especially in the areas of Interior Sindh and Southern Punjab may be ensured to avoid any inconvenience to customers in the harvesting season and overall country's situation."
The regulator advised the OMCs to build requisite stock/inventory to ensure sufficient supply of petroleum products to all retail outlets particularly in interior Sindh and Southern Punjab and confirm the compliance.
On April 4, in a letter the regulator asked the OMCs to strictly adhere to the Petroleum Division directives of uplifting the product from local refineries and build the required stocks, failing which action can be initiated as per applicable law/rules.
The Petroleum Division announced that stock of 11 days petrol is available in the country and a petrol vessel carrying around 58,000 MTs berthed on Monday at Keamari which would commence its discharge after sampling and testing.
In early May, reports suggested that Pakistan may run out of petrol and diesel in end May and June to meet local demand as the government's lack of firmness in resolving differences over lockdown compounded impact of the pandemic-driven supply chain disruption.