Widespread protests by local groups in Sindh against the controversial canal projects have disrupted fuel supplies to the upcountry, with around 800 fuel tankers stranded near Larkana and Sukkur due to road blockages. This has raised concerns about a potential shortage of petroleum products in Punjab and some areas of Sindh.
According to the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), approximately 800 oil tankers have been stranded in Larkana and Sukkur, unable to reach their destinations due to road closures and sit-ins. These disruptions are threatening to disrupt the supply of petrol and diesel to several cities across the affected regions.
The OCAC has raised alarms that, if the situation continues, both petrol and diesel shortages could become a reality for residents of several cities in interior Sindh and southern Punjab.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary of Sindh, the council urged immediate intervention to resolve the issue and avert a larger crisis that could affect consumers.
The protests have already had economic implications, with reports indicating that goods worth millions of dollars are at risk of spoilage due to halted transport at the Sindh-Punjab border.
While local leaders have called for peaceful demonstrations, they have also appealed to protestors to ensure that the protests do not cause undue hardship to the general public.
This disruption comes on the heels of a government decision to maintain petroleum product prices for the next 15 days, as announced by the Ministry of Finance. However, with the ongoing roadblocks, concerns remain over the potential impact on the supply chain and the availability of essential fuels.
