On Monday, Pakistan’s Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) issued a warning to the government about the potential shortage of petrol products in the country.
The strike by oil transporters continued as they sought a “fair share” in a pipeline project that could affect the size of their company.
Petrol Strike Root Cause
The White Oil Pipeline project, which began in 2005, intends to improve oil delivery between Karachi’s Keamari district and Mehmood Kot in Punjab, reducing traffic congestion caused by around 4,000 vehicles and limiting negative environmental impacts.
The Pak-Arab Pipeline Companies Limited (PAPCO) manages the project, which is critical for supporting industrial expansion and agricultural production, especially as the country’s energy demands rise.
Oil Tankers Association Demand
The Oil Tankers Contractors Association of Pakistan, on the other hand, went on strike over the weekend, expressing unhappiness with their part of the project and the refusal to pay them for lost revenue.
“On behalf of OCAC Member Companies we would like to bring to your attention regarding the ongoing strike by oil transporters which has resulted in a significant disruption in operations and distribution of petroleum products across the country,” OCAC said in letter addressed to the country’s petroleum division at the energy ministry.
Letter Points
The letter stated that oil loading activities at the Port Qasim, Qur’angi, and Keamari terminals had been significantly impacted, while supply chain interruptions were beginning to cause issues at the Jaglot, Sihala, and Shikarpur depots.
“We request your immediate intervention in this matter and further request you to intimate the Chief Secretary of respective provinces to take prompt action to ensure the uninterrupted loading of tank lorries at the depots,” it added.
Strike Will Continue Until….
Meanwhile, the oil transporters association announced that its members would continue their strike until they received a “fair share” of the pipeline project.
“We should be given 50 percent quota in White Pipeline and 50 percent quota for oil supply through road,” it said in a statement released on Monday.
It also highlighted the risk of idling of their current vehicles and job losses among their personnel.
As of currently, the administration has not replied to these developments or begun talks with oil transporters to remedy the problem.
To read our blog on “Nationwide strike of Pak petrol station start from July 22,” click here.
