Lahore faces petrol supply disruption

Concerns over a possible petrol shortage have emerged across Punjab, including Lahore, after the supply of petroleum products was disrupted due to inspections and raids conducted by Customs and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at major oil depots.

Concerns over a possible petrol shortage have emerged across Punjab, including Lahore, after the supply of petroleum products was disrupted due to inspections and raids conducted by Customs and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at major oil depots.

According to sources from the petrol pump industry, Customs and FIA teams carried out inspections and stock verification at several oil storage facilities in Punjab. The checking process delayed the dispatch of oil tankers, affecting the timely delivery of petroleum products to fuel stations in Lahore and other parts of the province.

Industry sources said that the delays prevented many petrol pumps from receiving their scheduled fuel deliveries on Friday. As a result, several filling stations in Lahore are currently operating with fuel stocks expected to last only for the day, increasing concerns about supply disruptions if deliveries are not restored quickly.

The situation has been particularly severe at the Mahmood Kot and Gatti oil depots, where no oil tankers were dispatched during the day. Under normal circumstances, these depots send more than 150 oil tankers daily to petrol stations across Punjab and other regions. However, sources confirmed that not a single tanker had left either depot since the morning due to ongoing inspections.

Petrol pump operators also noted that many station owners had ordered smaller-than-usual fuel quantities in anticipation of a possible reduction in petrol prices. This decision, combined with the disruption in tanker movement, has further tightened fuel availability at several outlets.

Market sources warned that if the delays continue, motorists in Lahore and other parts of Punjab could face temporary difficulties in obtaining petrol. They stressed the need for authorities to ensure that inspection activities are completed promptly so that fuel transportation can return to normal.

Despite the growing concerns, there has been no official announcement regarding an actual fuel shortage. Authorities have also not issued any statement indicating that petroleum stocks in the country are insufficient. The current issue appears to be linked primarily to delays in the supply chain rather than a lack of available fuel.

Consumers have been advised to avoid panic buying, as such behavior could place additional pressure on fuel supplies. Industry experts believe that once inspections are completed and oil tanker operations resume, the supply of petroleum products to petrol pumps is expected to normalize.