The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has directed petrol pumps to maintain a minimum supply of 20 days. In order to ensure the quantities OGRA has asked Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) to physically inspect the availability of petrol and high speed diesel at depots, retail outlets (petrol pumps) and refineries of all oil companies.
Petroleum companies have resumed the supply of petrol to pumps in Karachi after more than 20 hours on Sunday. Supply had been suspended due to a shortage in the reserves of petrol and diesel at companies and refineries across the country. Following a decrease in fuel prices by the government, demand for the commodities had increased resulting in pumps running out almost immediately.
Petrol pumps in various areas of the metropolis have started to shut down after authorities closed oil terminals in Keamari. Oil terminals closed after aeroallergen from soybean dust reportedly caused at least 14 deaths and affected hundreds more. Petrol pumps in Saddar and on Shahrah-e-Faisal and Karsaz have already closed down while throngs of cars rushed to join queues outside those that were still open.