The federal government has reassured the public that Pakistan has sufficient petroleum stocks, dismissing concerns about a possible fuel shortage and confirming that fuel supplies across the country remain stable.
The assurance came during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema to review the availability of petroleum products and address concerns over fuel hoarding by certain Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
During the meeting, the minister directed all provincial chief secretaries to take immediate action against petrol pumps and OMCs involved in hoarding fuel or attempting to exploit the prevailing regional situation for unlawful profiteering.
Provincial chief secretaries assured the meeting that their administrations would work closely with officials from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to curb hoarding and ensure an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products nationwide.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to energy security, Cheema said Pakistan has adequate petroleum reserves and there is no fuel shortage in the country.
He also warned that the government would not allow any oil marketing company or petrol pump to create an artificial shortage for financial gain. While legitimate businesses would not be harassed, he said strict legal action would be taken against anyone found involved in hoarding, profiteering, or disrupting the supply of essential commodities.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also directed authorities to take strict action against individuals involved in creating artificial shortages of petroleum products.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister to review the impact of regional tensions on Pakistan’s economy. A report on austerity measures and cost-saving initiatives was also presented during the meeting.
Shehbaz Sharif instructed officials to remain fully prepared to tackle any potential challenges arising from the prevailing uncertainty in the region.
The prime minister said that the region is facing uncertainty and stressed the need for comprehensive preparedness. He appreciated the public’s cooperation in previous austerity campaigns and praised citizens for supporting national efforts related to petroleum conservation and energy-saving measures.
Shehbaz Sharif said that, by the grace of God, Pakistan’s economy is currently stable, but warned that rising regional tensions could create future economic challenges. He called for a comprehensive action plan to ensure timely measures if required.
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