Islamabad: Road closures imposed by the government to hinder the PTI’s march towards Islamabad have severely disrupted the fuel supply chain, raising the specter of shortages in major cities such as Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Petroleum Traders Association Secretary Khawaja Atif warned that petrol stocks in Lahore and other parts of Punjab have started to run dangerously low. “There is a possibility of fuel shortages across Punjab. While some petrol pumps in Lahore still have supplies, reserves are quickly depleting,” Atif said.
Lahore consumes more than five million liters of petroleum products daily, while the total daily demand in Punjab exceeds 50 million litres. Atef stressed that continued roadblocks could have serious consequences, and urged the government to reopen roads to ensure fuel supplies are replenished.
In Rawalpindi, North Oil Traders Association President Chaudhry Zafar Elahi highlighted the deteriorating situation. “Most gasoline stations in the city have meager reserves, as supplies were disrupted for three consecutive days,” he said, adding that fuel shortages may extend to basic services such as police and public transportation if the blockade continues.
Meanwhile, in Islamabad, fuel supply at petrol pumps remains stable due to reduced traffic due to the ongoing protest. However, the district president of the Petroleum Traders Association, Raja Waseem, warned that the increase in demand could create problems. “No new supplies were delivered to the pumps from Islamabad depot due to road closures,” he noted.
The Oil Tanker Contractors Association also reported that fuel deliveries to key areas, including Gujranwala, Sialkot, Jhelum and Kharian, were halted, with thousands of tankers stranded due to highway closures.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) assured citizens that necessary steps are being taken to restore normalcy. “We are in contact with all stakeholders to improve the fuel supply situation,” the OGRA statement said.
The Ministry of Energy has instructed district administrations in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore to implement plans to provide uninterrupted fuel supplies. In addition, the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) urged the Punjab administration to provide safe routes for oil tankers to ensure delivery.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary Punjab and law enforcement agencies, OCAC highlighted the seriousness of the situation, warning that a prolonged delay could lead to widespread fuel shortages across the province.
With roadblocks paralyzing fuel distribution and threatening basic services, quick government action is necessary to avoid worsening the crisis.