The Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) has written an urgent letter to the chief minister of Sindh, alerting him to the situation. According to the OCAC, petroleum product cargoes currently being discharged, as well as ships anchored at ports, require immediate customs clearance.
The letter stated that Pakistan State Oil’s oil tankers – MT Islam 2 and MT Hanifa – are berthed and awaiting customs clearance. It added that oil stocks at the Keamari oil terminal are depleting and the two vessels berthed at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) must be granted immediate customs clearance.
“Only after customs clearance can the continuity of the petroleum supply chain across the country be ensured,” it said.
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The letter warned that if Wafi Energy’s petroleum cargo and Parco’s crude oil cargo arriving at KPT on Tuesday are not cleared, the problem will intensify. The implementation of the Infrastructure Development Cess has exposed the downstream petroleum industry to severe financial and operational risks.
The 1.8% cess could raise the cost of petroleum products by more than Rs3 per litre. The imposition of this cess will directly impact consumers, even though fuel prices are regulated.
According to the OCAC, the agriculture season is currently underway, and under these circumstances, there is a risk that the supply chain of petroleum products across the country may come to a standstill. Even after the issue is resolved, it could take up to two weeks to restore normal supply.
The OCAC urged the government to take immediate notice of the matter and address the crisis on an urgent basis.