PTI protest: Many cities risk fuel shortage amid supply chain issues

ISLAMABAD: The innumerable roadblocks and other preventive measures taken by the government against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) march towards Islamabad have hindered fuel supply across the country leading to a risk of fuel shortage in several cities.

In a statement, Petroleum Dealers Association Secretary Khawaja Atif said: "There is a chance of shortage of petroleum products in Lahore and across Punjab [....] Petrol stock is low at some petrol pumps in Lahore [but] has not run out [yet]."

Atif's remarks come as any fuel shortage would significantly add to the woes of citizens — whose movement has already been restricted due to roadblocks — and will further compound the financial repercussions of the ongoing protest, which according to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb cost Rs190 billion per day to the country.

Expanding on the situation, Atif lamented the hindered fuel supply and said that Lahore's daily consumption of petroleum products exeeded five million litres, whereas the number stood at around 50 million litres for the whole of Punjab.

Warning that the continuation of the prevailing circumstances might lead to serious consequences, the association's secretary urged the government to open the roads so that the fuel supply could be restored.

It is to be noted that the Lahore division serves as a major hub for economic and commercial activity and the inability to replenish fuel supplies on time will adversely affect essential services, daily operations and livelihoods of millions in this region and its surrounding areas.

Shedding light on the situation in Rawalpindi, Chaudhry Zafar Elahi, President of the Petroleum Dealers Association North, expressed concern over the depleting petrol stock at filling stations in the city.

In a statement, he said that the petrol supply to pumps in Rawalpindi has been suspended due to road closures.

He highlighted that petrol pumps typically have reserves lasting three to four days, and the situation has worsened as oil supply to pumps in Pindi has been minimal for the past three days.

Elahi urged authorities to open roads for a few hours daily to ensure fuel supply to pumps. He warned that if the supply is not restored, police vehicles and other transport could face fuel shortages.

Meanwhile, in Islamabad — which remains the epicentre of the PTI protest — the situation remains stable with District President of Petroleum Dealers Association Raja Waseem underscoring non-existent traffic resulting in minimal fuel sales at petrol pumps in the federal capital.

In a statement, he assured that petrol is currently available at filling stations in Islamabad, but warned that an increase in demand could create issues.

For now, the situation remains under control, said Waseem.

However, he noted that no new fuel supply is being provided to pumps from the Islamabad depot due to road closures, which are hindering distribution efforts.

Speaking on the issue, Oil Tanker Contractors Association spokesperson has said that petrol and diesel supply has been affected in Islamabad, Gilgit and Kohala.

Noting that thousands of tankers were waiting for the roads to be reopened, the spokesperson said that there had been no supply of petroleum products to Gujranwala, Jhelum, Sialkot and Kharian for the past three days.

Fuel stations have run out of petrol in several cities, he added.

Ogra in contact with all stakeholders

Addressing the fuel shortage concerns, the Oil and Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has assured that the government body was in contact with all stakeholders.

"All possible measured being taken to improve fuel supply," read a statement issued by the Ogra.

The regulator's remarks come as The Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) on Monday, as per the publication, directed the district administration in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Rawalpindi and Lahore divisions to devise and enforce a comprehensive plan for uninterrupted supply of petroleum products in view of the current lockdown situation.

While Ogra actively engages with the district administration, the ministry asked commissioners to issue immediate necessary instructions to the people concerned in the district administration to devise and enforce a comprehensive plan to tackle the situation and ensure uninterrupted supply of crude oil to ARL and POL products across the affected cities.

Earlier, the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) had asked the Punjab administration and law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) to provide the oil tankers lorries with safe routes for transportation of fuel in these areas to avoid any fuel shortage.

In its letter to the Punjab chief secretary and inspector generals of police (IGPs) of Islamabad and Punjab, the OCAC said the situation had deteriorated significantly over the past two days, with the highways’ closures severely delaying fuel transportation and posing a serious risk of stock depletion.