PM orders steady oil supply for armed forces

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed maintenance of oil depots across the country to meet the fuel needs of the armed forces in view of the current war-like situation.

During a meeting here, Imran was briefed on the Petroleum Division’s modus operandi under which the ships carrying POL products and crude oil will be allowed to beach first while the vessels having less important commercial or trading items will queue behind.

The Petroleum Division top officials briefed the prime minister on the future pipeline, refinery and gas sector projects. He was also updated on the strategic reserves of diesel, petrol and jet fuel. The Petroleum Division has decided to maintain diesel reserves for 45 days and refineries will keep the jet fuel supply chain intact other than the strategic reserves.

More importantly, the PSO top management has put their commercial oil reserves at the disposal of armed forces. The other OMCs will also put their stocks at the forces’ disposal. According to a top official who was part of the meeting, Imran Khan was also told that Parco (Pak-Arab Refinery Company) had deferred its shut-down scheduled for March and April in the wake of ongoing tension with India. The prime minister asked the authorities to remain in contact with authorities in Iran on the IP gas line project. The premier was told that it was not possible to start working on the project due to US sanctions on Iran.

The premier however said the Petroleum Division should cover the legal aspects by engaging the Iranian legal team.

He was told that the Petroleum Division had sent 10-12 legal questions to the Iranian side. About the TAPI gas line project, the prime minister was told that an agreement had to be signed after which the ground breaking of laying down the line in Pakistan will start in May-June. He was told that Parco was geared to install a refinery at Hub with capacity to refine 250,000 barrels per day.

He was also briefed about the latest status of a refinery at Gwadar that the Saudi company ARAMCO was going to install. He was also briefed that China was interested in establishing a refinery in Pakistan. The refinery projects are planned keeping in view the demand of POL products in the country by 2030.