Oil shortfall which surfaced in Lahore and some parts of Punjab would be overcome soon as Pakistan State Oil accelerated the pace of imports compared to other oil marketing companies which were slow in bringing gasoline products into the country.

According to the officials at the Ministry of Petroleum, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority and Pakistan State Oil the oil shortfall is temporary phenomenon and the deficit will soon be filled.

Pakistan State Oil imports are in the full swing where discharging of motor gasoline has commenced from the vessel, carrying 60,000 metric tons, while another vessel to reach at Karachi Port on Thursday amounting to 55,000 metric tons. Moreover, another vessel carrying crude oil amounting to 70,000 metric tons has been engaged at other berth.

OGRA on September 15, 2017 wrote a letter to DG Oil and asked to speed up the storage of oil products as the overall stocks of motor gasoline has reached their seven day backup and in next two or three days the things would become critical. However, now people in Lahore and other parts are facing problems because other oil marketing companies have not imported ample products in order to save themselves from inventory loss.

Several have demanded investigation from the government and OGRA must be carried out against these companies because just to save themselves from the inventory loss, they have slowed down the imports. These companies should be penalized because of these companies irresponsible stance people are facing hardship.

However, following the cold attitude from the oil marketing companies, PSO has geared up the imports and with arrival of five to six vessels in next seven to 10 days the oil reserves to reach to 17 days defusing the problems arising after the closure of pumps.