Business Desk 
Jun 21, 2025
With the Iran-Israel conflict continuing, Pakistan is taking urgent action to control its fuel supply due to increasing crude oil prices and shipping delays and/or disruptions.
The federal government directed oil marketing companies (OMC) to maintain a stock of 20 days of fuel.
Notably, the company also confirmed the immediate import of 140 million litres of premium petrol to maintain the fuel supply within the country due to the conflict across the Middle East, where most of Pakistan sources its fuel.
To secure the fuel supply, authorities have changed the arrival date of the oil vessel planned for July 6, which has 70 million litres of premium petrol for plain loads of OMC.
The oil vessel is now expected to arrive in Pakistan by June 26 after a change to the rearranged arrival. According to authorities, another 140 million litre shipment of premium petrol will arrive by July 1.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has yet to issue a formal ruling; however, they have informed all oil companies that the order for fuel storage will then be complied with.
The escalation of violence has raised tanker freight rates up to 15%, and shipping sources indicated trips that previously cost $900,000 are now costing $1,200,000. Insurance has also increased to $22,000 for a single voyage.
Officials from the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) said one vessel had to delay its journey in the Strait of Hormuz due to a temporary GPS signal outage, further highlighting the risks involved.
The government has also confirmed there will be no cut in the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL), despite a 16% global oil price surge. Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal warned that domestic fuel prices may rise if the international market remains unstable.
