ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum Monday narrowly approved the Petroleum Amendment Bill 2025 by three votes in favor and two against, despite a stern warning from Balochistan senators that the legislation would devastate the livelihoods in the province.
The Petroleum Division briefed the lawmakers that the bill introduces six new clauses aimed at curbing rampant smuggling of petroleum products. It empowers the authorities to seal the filling stations selling smuggled fuel, seize related equipment, and take action against the vehicles involved in the trade.
The customs officials will also gain authority to confiscate vehicles transporting illegal petroleum products. The bill further grants the deputy commissioners magisterial powers to handle confiscated goods and penalize violators.
Chairman committee Senator Umar Farooq said the committee’s recommendations would be attached to the legislation to avoid unnecessary hardship for the public. The petroleum secretary told lawmakers that the measure was critical to stem the smuggling of petroleum products worth “billions of rupees,” which, he argued, drained the state revenues and benefitted powerful smuggling cartels rather than poor transporters. He assured the senators that only large oil tankers hauling more than 40,000 liters of smuggled fuel would be targeted, not motorcycles or small vehicles.
He said fuel smuggling worth billions was bleeding the economy and revenues, benefiting powerful cartels rather than poor transporters. He assured licensed vehicles would be spared. Senator Maulana Abdul Wasey blasted the bill as “economic devastation” for poor families in Balochistan, where, he said, 5,000 to 6,000 small vehicles transporting fuel had already been seized.
“These vehicles are the livelihood of poor people. If this bill passes, what will they do?” he asked, warning that harsher enforcement would fuel resentment in an already volatile province.
Senator Saadia Abbasi also cautioned against rushing the legislation, urging wider consultation with the petroleum industry and provincial stakeholders. “This bill directly affects the common people in Balochistan. We must not pass it in haste,” she said.
She urged that the senators be given a meeting with Federal Board of Revenue and Customs officials for further clarity on the bill. She warned that passing the bill without the consent of Balochistan senators would be pointless.