Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik directs advance stockpiling, rail transportation and crisis coordination as authorities prepare for possible road closures.
ISLAMABAD, September 24, 2026: The government has directed relevant authorities to make advance arrangements to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies across Pakistan in the event of law-and-order issues or road closures.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik issued the directives while chairing a meeting on Thursday to review payments under the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme, as well as petroleum supply chain, transportation and logistics arrangements.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Pakistan Railways, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), oil marketing companies, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA), the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPDA) and other officials.
Government prepares for possible supply disruptions
Ali Pervaiz Malik directed all stakeholders to make timely preparations and ensure the smooth movement of petroleum products so that consumers do not face shortages in case of disruptions.
The government’s latest measures come amid preparations for a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest rally scheduled for September 27, with authorities seeking to maintain fuel movement if road transportation is affected.
The petroleum minister stressed the importance of close coordination between government institutions, regulators, oil companies, refineries, transporters and petroleum dealers to maintain fuel supplies.
Pakistan Railways to transport HSD
The Additional Secretary Railways assured the meeting that Pakistan Railways would make the maximum possible number of train wagons available to transport high-speed diesel (HSD).
Particular emphasis was placed on maintaining supplies to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in case road-based transportation faces disruptions.
The use of rail transportation would provide an alternative logistical route for moving petroleum products if road closures affect normal supply operations.
PSO directed to maintain adequate stocks
The petroleum minister directed Pakistan State Oil (PSO) to make advance arrangements to ensure adequate fuel stocks at its depots.
PSO informed the meeting that additional stocks had already been positioned at critical depots in anticipation of possible disruptions, supporting continuity of petroleum supplies.
OGRA also informed the meeting that it had established a dedicated control room for crisis management and coordination to help maintain the availability of petroleum products at retail outlets.
ARL crude supplies to be maintained
Ali Pervaiz Malik further directed relevant authorities to ensure uninterrupted crude supplies and product dispatches to Attock Refinery Limited (ARL).
The minister stressed that logistical constraints should not result in a refinery shutdown and instructed stakeholders to take advance measures to keep crude and product movements operational.
Pakistan has previously taken measures to strengthen fuel supply resilience amid volatility in international energy markets and disruptions affecting regional supply chains.
Fuel relief payments reach more than 8,500 pumps
The meeting also reviewed progress on payments under the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme.
Officials informed the minister that payments had been made to more than 8,500 petrol pumps out of over 10,000 by Thursday, with the number continuing to increase.
Ali Pervaiz Malik directed officials to resolve minor issues, including account-number mismatches, on an urgent basis so that payments to the remaining petrol pumps could be processed without delay.
The minister also directed OGRA to take action against any petrol station found denying eligible consumers the fuel relief available under the scheme.
The government has previously said funds for the scheme’s first month had been provided to the State Bank of Pakistan to facilitate timely reimbursement to participating dealers.
Petroleum dealers assure government of cooperation
Chairman of the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association Malik Khuda Baksh said the relief scheme was being implemented successfully and assured the government of the association’s continued cooperation.
Representatives of the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association, Humayun Khan and Nauman Butt, also welcomed the government’s engagement with petrol pump owners and expressed support for the initiative.
OCAC Chairman Nawed Tanwir Abbasi said the scheme was progressing successfully and described it as an initiative aimed at providing relief to the public.
Focus on uninterrupted fuel availability
Ali Pervaiz Malik reiterated that close coordination among all stakeholders would remain essential to maintaining uninterrupted petroleum supplies and ensuring effective implementation of the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme.
The latest measures include additional fuel stocks, alternative rail transportation, crisis coordination through OGRA and continued monitoring of petroleum movements as authorities prepare for possible logistical disruptions.