Fuel shipments for March-April secured

A high-level review of the petroleum supply situation on Tuesday indicated that fuel cargoes for March and April have been largely secured, while authorities also moved ahead with plans for tighter fuel management, and conservation measures amid rising global energy pressures. The fuel situation was discussed across multiple official engagements and meetings as the Committee to Monitor Petrol Prices, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, reviewed the stocks, import arrangements, international market trends following Eid holidays. According to the finance ministry, the committee was informed that cargo inflows were continuing as scheduled and that petrol cargoes for March and April had "largely been secured", with additional shipments planned to further strengthen supply buffers. Overall inventories were described as remaining at comfortable levels, supported by secured import arrangements and ongoing production. Officials said supply lines from import terminals to refineries, storages and retail outlets were operating in a stable and orderly manner, The committee undertook a forward-looking assessment of the national petroleum supply outlook, reviewing stock availability of crude oil and refined petroleum products across the energy value chain. Refineries were reported to be operating at regular production levels, with efforts under way to maintain optimal throughput and ensure efficient processing of incoming crude. Officials noted that cargo inflows continued on schedule despite evolving global geopolitical conditions. Alongside supply stability, the government also advanced discussions on demand-side management. Sources said the federal government was working on introducing a digital rationing system for petroleum distribution through a mobile application. Under the proposed mechanism, citizens would be required to register their vehicles and identity details. Each citizen would be allocated a fuel quota based on assessed need and availability, allowing access to a fixed daily supply of petrol or diesel through the app. The proposal to include provincial governments in petroleum subsidy arrangements was also under consideration, with the Prime Minister expected to take the president into confidence on extending the subsidy burden as part of broader fiscal adjustments in fuel pricing support. The energy situation also prompted provincial-level conservation discussions. Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said the government was contemplating a "smart lockdown" as part of fuel conservation measures in response to the global oil crisis. He said the government's austerity measures had already reduced fuel consumption allowances for official vehicles by 60%. He urged the citizens to limit unnecessary movement to conserve fuel. At the federal level, austerity measures had already been introduced earlier, including reductions in fuel allowances for official vehicles and adjustments in public sector work arrangements, alongside appeals for fuel conservation to avoid disruption in petroleum supply chains. During the meeting of the Committee to Monitor Petrol Prices, the participants were briefed on international energy market conditions, with officials highlighting emerging global price signals and their implications for domestic pricing. Chairing the meeting, the finance minister said proactive planning, diversified procurement and close coordination among stakeholders had enabled Pakistan to maintain a stable domestic supply position despite global volatility. Finance Minister Aurangzeb directed the authorities concerned to continue vigilant monitoring of international developments, stock levels and supply chain dynamics to ensure timely and coordinated responses. He reiterated that ensuring uninterrupted availability of petroleum products remained the government's foremost priority, stressing sustained coordination and prudent planning to maintain market stability and safeguard national energy security. Officials also noted that despite rising fuel prices, consumption had not declined and had instead increased, reinforcing the rationale for tighter management measures such as quota-based allocation systems and broader conservation efforts under consideration. The meeting was attended by the Power Minister Awais Leghari, Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Chaudhary, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, senior officials from relevant ministries.