ISLAMABAD: Growing apprehensions have surfaced regarding the integrity of petrol and diesel sold across Pakistan, with allegations that certain oil companies are adulterating fuel by adding chemicals such as solvents and methanol. These additives, which are not meant to be part of the fuel composition, pose significant risks to both vehicle performance and public health. The controversy has drawn attention to the effectiveness of regulatory bodies tasked with monitoring fuel quality nationwide.
Pakistan’s fuel distribution network is extensive, comprising over 15,000 petrol stations and approximately 130 oil depots spread throughout the country. Despite this vast infrastructure, the current framework for testing fuel quality appears insufficient. The Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP), the two main agencies responsible for fuel quality assurance, reportedly conduct only about 3,000 tests annually. This number is strikingly low given the scale of fuel distribution, raising questions about the adequacy of surveillance mechanisms.
Moreover, concerns have been voiced about the absence of a comprehensive system for oxygenate testing, which is crucial for detecting harmful chemical additives in petrol and diesel. Oxygenates like methanol and solvents, when mixed improperly, can degrade engine efficiency and release toxic emissions, thereby endangering consumers and the environment. Requests for detailed data and transparency from OGRA and HDIP regarding their oxygenate testing procedures have not been met with clear responses, further fueling public unease.
In response to these allegations, OGRA has clarified that oxygenate testing is primarily conducted at the points of fuel import and refinery processing. The authority maintains that the results from these tests fall within established safety and quality limits. Additionally, OGRA performs random quality checks at oil depots and petrol stations, examining critical parameters such as the Research Octane Number (RON), distillation characteristics, and other essential indicators of fuel quality. These efforts reportedly amount to over 3,800 tests annually, a figure that suggests some level of ongoing monitoring.
Meanwhile, the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan has emphasized its role as a testing agency rather than a regulatory body. The acting CEO highlighted that HDIP’s mandate is limited to analyzing samples submitted to them and providing reports to OGRA. This distinction underscores the reliance on sample submissions, which may not fully capture the entire spectrum of fuel quality issues occurring at various points in the supply chain.
The current scenario has sparked widespread concern about the effectiveness of regulatory oversight in safeguarding fuel quality. Experts warn that without a robust and transparent testing system, adulterated fuel containing harmful chemicals could continue to circulate in the market, posing serious health hazards to consumers and contributing to environmental pollution. This situation calls for urgent reforms in testing protocols and greater accountability from both oil companies and regulatory authorities to ensure the safety and reliability of fuel supplied to the public.
