Petrol shortage fears grow as stocks fall to 14 days, OMCs await Rs66.7 billion claims clearance

Pakistan’s petrol supply chain has come under pressure as stocks fall to about two weeks of consumption, demand rises above projections and oil marketing companies struggle to finance costlier imports while awaiting Rs66.7 billion in unpaid Price Differential Claims.

The Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) has asked Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik to intervene immediately, warning that delays in customs clearance and planned imports could cause localised shortages in the coming days.

Industry data put total motor spirit stocks, including local refinery production, at around 379,442 tonnes, sufficient for roughly 14 days at current consumption levels. 

The OCAC separately estimated immediately available stocks at about 370,000 tonnes, equivalent to nearly 15 days of cover, although part of the inventory remains unavailable for sale because of customs clearance bottlenecks.

Petrol sales averaged around 25,000 tonnes per day during the first 13 days of July, nearly 16% above projections and 26% higher than the corresponding period last year.

Industry officials linked the increase to expectations of another rise in petroleum prices, which have encouraged consumers and dealers to accelerate purchases. They warned that continued demand at this level could further reduce inventories before incoming shipments are cleared and distributed.

Three petrol cargoes carrying about 153,000 tonnes were scheduled to arrive between July 15 and July 17. One of the vessels, MT Bolan, berthed at the Fauji Oil Terminal and Distribution Company terminal on Wednesday.

However, the OCAC warned that delays in the WeBOC customs clearance system could slow the release of imported fuel from ports and disrupt supplies to upcountry markets.

The import plan has already faced setbacks. A proposed 37,000-tonne cargo for Pakistan State Oil was not approved by the National Coordination and Management Council in June 2026, while another consignment involving four oil marketing companies was reportedly cancelled.

The industry said regional tensions and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb had raised international oil prices, shipping charges and the amount of working capital required to arrange imports.

Against this backdrop, oil marketing companies have sought the immediate settlement of Rs66.7 billion in outstanding Price Differential Claims.

According to industry estimates, the unpaid amount could finance nearly 250,000 tonnes of petrol, equivalent to about five import cargoes.

The OCAC said prolonged delays in settling the claims had weakened companies’ liquidity at a time when import costs were rising. It warned that the industry no longer had the capacity to absorb unilateral pricing formula changes or additional working capital requirements while maintaining fuel supplies.

The council said any consumer relief measures should be financed by the government rather than imposed on petroleum companies.

It asked the Petroleum Division to facilitate the release of the pending claims, remove WeBOC clearance bottlenecks and ensure support for uninterrupted imports and nationwide distribution.

High-speed diesel stocks remained comparatively comfortable at around 500,000 tonnes, supported by domestic refinery production. However, industry representatives warned that panic buying or dealer hoarding could also put pressure on diesel supplies if uncertainty persisted.

The industry said timely action could prevent dry-outs at filling stations, but warned that low petrol inventories, above-projection demand and import delays had made the coming days critical for the stability of the fuel supply chain.