The All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPOA) has warned of a possible nationwide shutdown of petrol pumps, citing mounting operational and financial challenges amid rising fuel prices in Pakistan.
In a letter addressed to Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik, APPPOA Vice Chairman Nouman Ali Butt highlighted serious concerns faced by petrol pump owners, including pricing issues, financial strain, and disruptions caused by force majeure situations.
The association stated that similar concerns were raised earlier this month, but no response was received from authorities. It urged the government to immediately engage stakeholders and include industry representatives in policymaking related to the petroleum sector.
The APPPOA has called for an urgent meeting with the minister, emphasizing that the issues impact around 14,000 to 15,000 petrol pump owners nationwide. It warned that failure to address these concerns could force operators to shut down operations, potentially triggering a fresh fuel crisis across the country.
The situation comes amid volatility in global oil markets due to ongoing Middle East tensions, which have led to significant increases in domestic fuel prices. Since the escalation of the crisis, petrol and diesel prices have surged by around Rs55 per litre, while kerosene and high-octane fuel have seen even steeper hikes.
Despite the concerns, officials recently informed a high-level meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb that Pakistan has largely secured fuel cargoes for March and April, indicating no immediate supply shortage.
However, industry stakeholders warn that unresolved issues at the retail level could disrupt fuel availability, underscoring the urgency of dialogue between the government and petrol pump operators.