OCAC Warns of Looming Fuel Shortage As Tanker Ban Disrupts Supply

Lahore faces the risk of a fuel shortage as restrictions on oil tankers disrupt fuel deliveries to over 400 petrol stations across the city. The Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) has urged the Punjab government to exempt petroleum, oil, and lubricant (POL) tankers from the Traffic Police’s ban on heavy vehicles, which prohibits entry from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM. In a letter to the Punjab chief secretary, the OCAC highlighted that the restriction has severely impacted Lahore’s fuel supply chain and impacted over 5 million consumers. The council pointed out that Karachi enforces a similar ban but allows exemptions for POL tankers to ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply. The Council warned that if the restriction remains in place, Lahore could experience a full-blown fuel crisis. It urged the provincial government to revise the advisory to prevent public inconvenience and maintain fuel availability. A similar disruption occurred in November 2024 when political protests blocked key roads across Punjab. At that time, the Ministry of Petroleum had intervened by requesting immediate restoration of crude oil supply from Attock Oil Refinery to stabilize the situation. With Lahore consuming over 5 million liters of petrol daily, OCAC stressed that immediate action is necessary to prevent another crisis.