No fuel shortage anywhere in Pakistan, says Finance Minister Aurangzeb

Pakistan – (Web Desk) – Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stepped forward on Monday to put public concerns to rest, confirming that fuel is readily available across the country with no shortages in sight. He credited a well-coordinated government approach for keeping fuel supplies steady even as the world faces growing economic uncertainty.

The minister shared this reassurance while leading a key meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Petroleum Price Monitoring. Experts from the Petroleum Division were present to give a full picture of where things stand on the supply front.

The good news on reserves is hard to miss. The country currently has enough diesel to last 23 to 24 days, and petrol availability looks healthy nationwide. Crude oil stocks are good for around 11 days, and more shipments are already on their way to keep things running without a hitch.

Planning ahead has been a priority. Fuel import arrangements for the month of April are already locked in, with large volumes booked well in advance. Both private commercial deals and government-level agreements are firmly in place, and teams are actively working to secure oil at better prices as global rates and supply premiums continue to climb.

The meeting did acknowledge that tensions in the region have created some pressure on supply chains, while fuel demand across the country has picked up in recent weeks. To tackle this head-on, authorities have decided to reduce dependence on the costly spot market and focus instead on smarter, more affordable procurement strategies going forward.

The finance minister directed that the country’s refineries be operated at full capacity and that maximum crude oil refining be carried out locally. A decision was also made to closely monitor supply and demand, with strict instructions issued to provincial governments to prevent hoarding and artificial shortages.

To improve oversight, the government will introduce a modern digital dashboard for real-time monitoring of the petroleum supply chain, aiming to enhance transparency and ensure timely decision-making. Emphasis was also placed on safeguarding economic interests in import matters, including the use of national shipping.

The meeting discussed new proposals to improve fuel quality and pricing, along with reforms to strengthen the local refining sector and ensure efficient fuel usage. Authorities also decided to continue consultations with stakeholders.

On the directives of the prime minister, a framework will be prepared to establish a strategic petroleum reserve to enhance long-term energy security.

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Despite rising global oil prices, the finance minister reiterated that efforts will be made to transfer the minimum possible burden to the public, reaffirming that there is no fuel crisis in the country at present.