The Oil Tanker Contractors Association of Pakistan has issued a warning to the federal government, threatening to suspend fuel deliveries due to recent alterations in pipeline quota allocations. Abdullah Afridi, the association’s president, addressed a letter to the Petroleum Secretary emphasizing that fuel supply could be disrupted unless the White Pipeline quota is restored to its original share.
Afridi highlighted that the government initially designated 45 percent of the White Pipeline quota to the association, with the remaining 55 percent allocated to oil tankers, based on an agreement involving the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and the Ministry of Petroleum. However, he accused the ministry of unilaterally increasing the White Pipeline quota from 45 percent to 70 percent without consulting the relevant stakeholders.
He characterized this adjustment as a violation of the established agreement, warning that it could gravely affect the operations of the oil tanker sector. Afridi demanded an immediate reversal of the quota increase, restoration of the original tanker quota, and an urgent rise in tanker transport rates to offset the impact.
Meanwhile, officials confirmed that Pakistan currently holds sufficient petrol and diesel reserves to satisfy domestic demand throughout April and beyond. This assessment was presented during a high-level meeting led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, which focused on reviewing the nation’s petroleum reserves.
Besides evaluating fuel stock levels, the meeting also considered preparedness measures in response to the ongoing developments in the Middle East. Senator Dar expressed confidence in the current supply status and instructed the concerned ministries and authorities to maintain close coordination, ensure continuous availability, and implement all necessary steps to protect fuel supplies in the upcoming weeks.
The session included participation from the federal ministers for petroleum and economic affairs, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, senior federal secretaries, as well as chief secretaries and officials from various provinces.
