Pakistan has stepped up efforts to shield its petroleum supply chain amid simmering tensions in the Middle East, arranging additional reserves for June after already securing supplies for May.
Documents obtained by News channel show the country is maintaining petroleum stocks with a strategic buffer of roughly one-and-a-half to two months to prevent disruptions in fuel availability.
For June, Pakistan has secured 446 metric tons of crude oil: 296 metric tons will be imported while 150 metric tons will come from domestic oil fields. In addition, 201 metric tons of diesel have been arranged through local refineries — a volume officials say should cover about nine days — and 98 metric tons of petrol have been sourced domestically.
Jet fuel stocks have been strengthened as well: 18 metric tons of jet fuel have been set aside, sufficient for approximately 10 days of operations, and JP-8 reserves adequate for around 12 days have also been secured. Roughly 18 metric tons of LPG have been arranged for June.
Officials stressed that petroleum products are being procured proactively, with additional quantities to be acquired over time to ensure uninterrupted supply across the country. Most of the secured stock will come from local production, while further imports will be arranged as needed from partners including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, the United States and several African nations.
A senior official from the Petroleum Division Dunya News that Pakistan is currently focused on ramping up output at local refineries to reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.