Oil marketing companies have warned the government about a possible petrol shortage in Pakistan and called for immediate intervention to prevent disruptions in fuel supplies across the country.

According to industry officials, the country's petrol reserves have dropped to around 370,000 metric tons, enough to meet national demand for only about 15 days. The warning was conveyed in an “urgent” letter sent by the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) to Federal Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division) Ali Pervaiz Malik on July 15.

The council said the current fuel supply situation has become unusually critical due to a combination of low inventories, delayed customs clearance of imported fuel cargoes, rising demand and mounting financial pressures on the oil sector.

Industry representatives warned that if three incoming petrol cargoes fail to arrive and clear customs on time, the country could face serious supply disruptions. They stressed that timely clearance of imported fuel is essential to maintaining stable supplies in the domestic market.

The oil industry also highlighted financial challenges, stating that outstanding payments of approximately Rs66.7 billion have created severe cash flow problems for oil marketing companies. These financial constraints, they said, are affecting their ability to manage imports and maintain adequate stock levels.

Experts note that any prolonged disruption in fuel supplies could affect transportation, business activity and consumer confidence. The government has yet to announce any emergency measures, but industry stakeholders are urging swift action to avoid a potential petrol crisis.