Govt directs advance arrangements to keep fuel supply uninterrupted

Mettis Global reported that the federal government has asked stakeholders to plan ahead so petroleum supplies continue if security problems or blocked roads disrupt deliveries. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik chaired a meeting that reviewed Prime Minister's Fuel Relief Scheme payments, which have reached over 8,500 petrol stations of the 10,000+ nationwide. Representatives of Pakistan Railways, OGRA, OCAC, oil marketing companies and dealer associations attended.

Pakistan Railways told the meeting it would make as many train bogies as possible available to carry high-speed diesel, particularly for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should road haulage be hit. Malik asked PSO to build adequate fuel stocks at its depots in advance, and PSO confirmed that additional stock was already positioned at key depots. OGRA has set up a control room to manage crises and keep retail outlets stocked, while Attock Refinery was told to secure uninterrupted crude supply and dispatch so transport bottlenecks do not halt output.

On the relief scheme, the minister ordered that minor account-number mismatches be resolved quickly so the rest can receive payment promptly. He also instructed OGRA to take action against any station that denies eligible buyers the benefit. Dealer groups PPDA, APPPDA and OCAC backed the scheme, with OCAC chairman Nawed Tanwir Abbasi calling it a good initiative. Malik stressed that the stakeholders must keep working closely together.