The News reported that Pakistan will import 250,000 tonnes of petrol in June the highest quantity in a single month to fight off fuel shortage in the country as supplies from three out of 5 refineries remain suspended.

According to details, 70,000 tonnes petrol has already reached the country’s port. An additional 50,000 tonnes would reach and 2 other consignments of 35,000 tonnes each would hit the port in the next 2 weeks. That makes import of a total 190,000 tonnes as announced by the government.

In addition to this, PSO would open another tender for 35,000 tonnes. Besides other oil marketing companies have also committed to import 25,000 tonnes in June.

However, industry sources were quite sceptical of managing the mammoth import of 250,000 tonnes against a monthly demand of 170,000 tonnes especially when the country has a storage capacity of just 60,000 tonnes.

In the wake of acute fuel shortage in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dr Asim Hussain minister of petroleum decided to import 190,000 tonnes oil for the current month. The meeting was attended by secretary petroleum, chairman Oil and gas Regularity Authority, high ups of oil refineries, Member Oil Ministry of Petroleum, besides the representatives of oil marketing companies.

Officials said that PSO has already dispatched 35,000 tonnes petrol for upcountry consumption, which is reeling under severe shortage of fuel. Although petrol is being imported but it will not solve the issue instantly as it takes time for the fuel to reach destinations.

Meanwhile, Dr Asim has directed all oil marketing companies to maintain a stock of 20 day supplies in their depots to avoid further shortage. The government on Monday suspended licences of three oil marketing companies on a temporary basis. The elements involved in creating artificial shortage of petrol would be dealt strictly.

(Sourced from www.thenews.com.pk)