Govt directs advance arrangements to keep fuel supply uninterrupted

September 24, 2026 (MLN): The government has directed stakeholders to make advance arrangements to keep petroleum products flowing across the country in case of any law and order situation or road closures, while payments under the Prime Minister's Fuel Relief Scheme have reached over 8,500 of the 10,000+ petrol pumps so far.

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik chaired a meeting to review payments under the scheme, along with supply chain, transportation and logistics arrangements. Representatives of Pakistan Railways, OGRA, the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), oil marketing companies (OMCs), the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA), the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPDA) and other officials attended, according to APP.

Ali Pervaiz Malik thanked the dealers' associations for their cooperation and full backing of the scheme.

He said the government was taking all necessary steps to prevent fuel shortages and told all stakeholders to plan ahead for the smooth movement of petroleum products.

The Additional Secretary Railways told the meeting that Pakistan Railways would make the maximum number of train bogies available to carry high-speed diesel (HSD), particularly to keep supplies moving in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) if road transport is disrupted.

Ali Pervaiz Malik directed Pakistan State Oil (PSO) to arrange adequate fuel at its depots in advance. PSO said it had already lined up additional stocks at critical depots in anticipation of possible disruptions.

OGRA said it had set up a dedicated control room for crisis management and coordination to keep retail outlets supplied.

The minister also told the relevant authorities to ensure uninterrupted crude supply and product dispatch for Attock Refinery Limited (ARL), so that logistical constraints do not force a shutdown.

On the relief scheme, the meeting was told that payments had gone out to over 8,500 of the 10,000+ petrol pumps by Thursday, with the number rising daily.

Ali Pervaiz Malik directed that minor issues such as account number mismatches be resolved urgently so that the remaining pumps are paid without delay and the public keeps receiving relief. He also directed OGRA to act against any petrol pump found denying eligible customers the relief.

PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh said the scheme was working successfully and that dealers were cooperating with the government and would continue to do so.

 APPPDA's Humayun Khan and Nauman Butt thanked the government for taking petrol pump owners on board and said their association fully supported the scheme.

OCAC Chairman Nawed Tanwir Abbasi described the scheme as a good initiative that was working successfully and giving relief to the public.

Ali Pervaiz Malik reiterated that close coordination among all stakeholders was essential for uninterrupted fuel supplies and effective implementation of the scheme.

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