Fuel Watchdog Established During Middle Eastern Upheaval

With regional tensions running high in the Middle East, Pakistan has acted fast to protect its fuel economy by establishing a crisis committee headed by the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division). The committee, headed by Secretary Petroleum Capt (R) Muhammad Mahmood, has members from Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), and other refineries and marketing companies.

Their task is to provide fuel supply throughout the country without interruption and maintain petroleum prices at stable levels in the event of any global supply chain disruption of oil. The move comes in the wake of recent events that have jeopardized shipping routes and created apprehension about global supply jolts. The Petroleum Division has also ordered oil firms to hold inventories of 21 days or more for diesel and petrol.

Oil Marketing Companies such as PSO, Shell Pakistan, Total Parco, and other major players have been notified to adhere to stock requirements strictly. OGRA is being assigned daily monitoring of stock positions. With all these precautions, Pakistan is expecting to insulate its energy sector from any instant impact of the surging conflict in the area, showing preparedness and coordination at a key moment.