Petrol Dealers Warn of 50% Supply Cut as Pump Closures Loom Across Pakistan
Fuel supply concerns are growing across Pakistan after the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association warned that petrol pumps may begin shutting down from Monday if supply disruptions continue.
The association said that retail outlets across the country currently have only about 50 percent of their normal petrol stock remaining. Dealers fear the situation could worsen quickly if deliveries are not restored in the coming days.
According to the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, the shortage is even more severe for diesel. Officials reported that diesel supplies have dropped to nearly 20 percent of normal levels, creating serious concerns for transport, agriculture, and logistics sectors that depend heavily on the fuel.
Central Secretary General Chaudhry Irfan Elahi highlighted the gravity of the situation while speaking about the dwindling reserves at fuel stations nationwide. He warned that if supply chains are not stabilized immediately, many petrol pumps could be forced to suspend operations within days.
Fuel shortages in Pakistan can have widespread economic consequences. Diesel is widely used in heavy transportation, farming machinery, and commercial operations. A sharp drop in availability could disrupt goods transportation, affect crop harvesting activities, and lead to increased costs across supply chains.
Petrol retailers say they are already struggling to maintain regular operations due to reduced deliveries. Many pumps are reportedly rationing fuel to manage remaining stock and avoid running completely dry before the next shipment arrives.
Lahore President of the association, Jehanzaib Malik, urged the government to take immediate action to ensure uninterrupted supply to retail outlets. He stressed that authorities should focus on resolving supply issues rather than conducting inspections at petrol pumps.
Malik criticized recent inspection drives that target filling stations instead of supply depots, saying the core issue lies in the disruption of deliveries. According to him, dealers cannot continue operating without consistent fuel shipments from distribution sources.
He warned that if the supply chain is not restored promptly, fuel stations across multiple cities could start closing their operations as early as Monday. Such closures could lead to long queues at operational pumps and increased public frustration.
Industry representatives are now urging the government and relevant departments to coordinate with oil marketing companies and logistics providers to restore normal supply levels before the situation escalates into a nationwide fuel crisis.
Energy sector observers say timely intervention will be critical to prevent disruptions that could affect transportation networks and everyday economic activity.
