KARACHI: Attock Refinery Limited has issued a grave warning regarding the continuation of its operations, stating that a complete shutdown is imminent within a week if the current situation regarding product uplifting does not improve significantly.
In an official notification submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), Attock Refinery highlighted the critical challenges it is facing due to persistently low product offtake. The company reported that despite repeated appeals and warnings, the situation has shown no meaningful progress. As a result, the refinery has been compelled to further curtail its operational output and is currently functioning at a mere 29 percent of its installed capacity.
The management of Attock Refinery stressed that such reduced operations are unsustainable and, if the trend continues, it will have no option but to completely halt all refining activities within the coming week. The refinery emphasized that this drastic step would have serious implications not only for the company but also for the broader petroleum supply chain in the country.
In light of the deteriorating circumstances, Attock Refinery has formally communicated its concerns to the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), urging urgent intervention to avoid a complete shutdown. The company has requested immediate steps to ensure that oil marketing companies improve their product uplifting in order to stabilize refinery operations.
The management further stated that the situation is being closely monitored and will be reviewed on a daily basis to determine any further action necessary to manage the crisis. A complete closure of operations would mark a significant disruption in fuel processing, which may lead to broader consequences for the energy sector if not addressed promptly.
Industry experts view Attock Refinery’s alert as a wake-up call for regulators and market participants, emphasizing the need for coordinated action to ensure smooth refinery operations across the country.