Minister rules out diesel, petrol shortage

ISLAMABAD: Energy Minister Hammad Azhar said on Friday there is no foreseeable possibility of the country facing a shortage of petroleum products.

“Contrary to some media reports, there is no risk of shortage of POL products in the country,” he said in a series of tweets today. “Pakistan has stocks of 27 days for diesel and 28 days for petrol consumption in the country. This is the highest stock level since last many years.”

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However, the minister pointed out that refineries are facing an issue of sale of furnace oil. “It is clarified that furnace oil based power plants have not run in November or December till now as per merit order. However they are required to keep stocks of FO for which the power division is coordinating with them,” he explained.

Contrary to some media reports, there is no risk of shortage of POL products in the country. Pakistan has stocks of 27 days for diesel and 28 days for petrol consumption in the country. This is the highest stock level since last many years. 1/2

— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) December 17, 2021

On Dec 15, the federal government reduced prices of petroleum products by up to Rs7 per litre effective from December 16. According to a notification, the government cut the price of petrol by Rs5 per litre, high-speed diesel by Rs5, kerosene by Rs7, and the rate of light diesel oil has been slashed by Rs7.01 per litre.