Syed Saif Ul Hassan 
Oct 22, 2025
A petrol pump worker changing the price of petroleum products in this undated picture. — AFP
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has clarified that the fuel supply in the country is stable, dismissing rumours of a fuel shortage in Pakistan owing to the purportedly stranded tankers at Karachi ports.
There clarification comes in the midst of chaos caused by multiple reports churned out by various news outlets, suggesting an impending fuel shortage countrywide.
At the core of Pakistan's purported fuel shortage saga is the 1.8% IDC tax imposed by Sindh and Balochistan on petroleum imports, as previously, companies were allowed to submit undertakings instead of costly bank guarantees, but this arrangement was recently scrapped.
With tight fuel price regulations and low profit margins, fuel suppliers condemned the additional cost, estimated to be Rs3 per litre, which they said is unaffordable to them.
The development stepped into the limelight after minor delays in clearing imported petroleum shipments, especially after Sindh reinstated a 100% bank guarantee under the Infrastructure Development Cess (IDC), a surprising move which left several fuel vessels stranded at Karachi ports, leading to concerns of a looming crisis.
The fuel regulatory body confirmed the situation has now stabilised. Two major ships carrying petrol and diesel have been cleared, reviving the supply chain's momentum.
Expressing concerns in a letter to authorities, the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) warned that if cargoes are not cleared urgently, Pakistan could face severe fuel shortages within days, especially in the wake of diminishing fuel stocks in Karachi’s Keamari terminal.
