No fuel shortage in country, says govt

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema on Thursday said Pakistan has adequate fuel reserves and stressed that the government will not permit any oil marketing company (OMC) or petrol pump to engineer an artificial shortage for profiteering.

 

Cheema chaired a high-level meeting to review the country's wheat situation and evaluate the current demand and supply position across all provinces.

 

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, National Food Security Secretary Amir Ali Ahmad, Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shahab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s Adviser Muzammil Aslam, Sindh’s food minister, and other senior officials.

 

Participants carried out a detailed assessment of wheat production, available stocks, and the overall demand and supply outlook. The chief secretaries of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa informed the meeting that wheat availability in their provinces remains stable for now. However, they noted that additional wheat from the federal government may be required in the coming months to ensure uninterrupted supplies.

 

Speaking at the meeting, Cheema said the federal government would make every effort to meet provincial wheat requirements through Passco reserves. He said protecting the interests of both consumers and farmers, while ensuring a steady supply of wheat nationwide, remains the government's top priority. He added that all wheat-related decisions would be based on domestic production levels, market conditions, and the welfare of local farmers.

 

The minister also instructed the relevant authorities to maintain strict oversight against hoarding and market manipulation to ensure sufficient wheat availability ahead of the upcoming sowing season.

 

The minister for national food security informed participants that Passco would fully support provincial governments in managing wheat stocks and maintaining uninterrupted availability.

 

Concluding the discussion on wheat, Cheema directed all stakeholders to remain in close coordination and continuously monitor the situation to enable timely decisions aimed at ensuring food security, market stability, and safeguarding farmers' interests.

 

The meeting also reviewed the supply of petroleum products and examined concerns over fuel hoarding by certain OMCs. Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) Chairperson Nabeel Ahmad Awan participated in the session, where fuel availability and enforcement measures were discussed in detail.

 

Cheema, along with the Establishment Division secretary, directed provincial chief secretaries to take immediate action against petrol pumps and OMCs found hoarding fuel or attempting to exploit the prevailing regional situation for undue financial gains.

 

Provincial chief secretaries assured the meeting that their administrations would coordinate closely with Ogra officials to curb hoarding and ensure uninterrupted fuel availability across the country.

 

Reaffirming the government's commitment to energy security, Cheema said Pakistan has sufficient petroleum stocks and there is no fuel shortage. He reiterated that the government would not allow any OMC or petrol pump to create an artificial supply crunch for profiteering. While assuring that legitimate businesses would not face unnecessary interference, he warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone involved in hoarding, profiteering, or disrupting the supply of essential commodities.