Pakistan tightens fuel oversight, deploys teams to petrol pumps amid stable stocks

The Cabinet Committee on Petroleum Prices has ordered intensified monitoring and stricter compliance across the fuel supply chain, deploying joint teams to key petrol stations to ensure real-time data reporting and transparency as the government works to maintain market stability.

Chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the meeting reviewed petroleum and gas supply, confirming diesel stocks providing around 25 days of cover and crude oil inventories at 12 days, supported by scheduled imports and incoming cargoes. Petrol availability was sufficient for current demand, officials said.

The Petroleum Division Pakistan reported that import plans are on track through a combination of commercial and government-to-government arrangements, while domestic refineries continue to operate at full capacity to maintain steady throughput and refined product availability.

Amid recent price volatility, the committee emphasized tight oversight to prevent hoarding, speculative trading, and unauthorized storage, while directing close monitoring of demand patterns, including localized consumption variations, to ensure balanced supply management.

A central tool in the oversight strategy is the digital dashboard launched by OGRA, which tracks stock levels, sales, and distribution flows from depots to retail outlets. The committee noted that reporting from over 12,000 petrol pumps remains below expectations, and called for full operationalization of the system.

To reinforce compliance and data accuracy, joint teams from the Petroleum Division, OGRA, FIA, and Pakistan State Oil will be stationed at selected PSO pumps in Islamabad to ensure timely data entry, improve stock transparency, and enforce operational standards.

The committee also reviewed natural gas supply, including stock positions of major utilities, and discussed efficient allocation between domestic and power sectors, taking into account seasonal demand and rising LPG reliance.

Officials highlighted the critical role of reliable energy supply in supporting agriculture, fertilizer production, transportation, and industry, noting that uninterrupted availability is vital for economic stability and price moderation.

Reiterating the government’s policy stance, the finance minister stressed that proactive coordination, effective monitoring, and strict enforcement are essential to ensure transparency, protect consumers, and maintain continuous fuel availability nationwide.