The caretaker government issued directives to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to ensure that all Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) outlets have proper stock of petroleum products. The Petroleum Division has taken serious notice of reports of dry retail outlets. OGRA is ordered to mobilize the enforcement teams to monitor that all fueling stations have petroleum stock.
To avoid a fuel shortage in the country, the authorities have said to take regulatory action against any OMC found keeping stockpiles lower than the regulated amount.
The action has been taken by the Petroleum Division after the complaint by Pakistan State Oil (PSO). PSO reported that several OMCs planned to rely on their petrol/diesel stock instead of procuring it. The situation could cause a crisis due to consumer load. News reports claim that most companies have stopped importing fuel due to the hefty import premium. Only smaller OMCs heavily rely on PSO imports and do not import.