ISLAMABAD: The Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) of Pakistan issued a cautionary statement to the government on Monday regarding the potential shortage of petroleum products in the country, as oil transporters continued their strike while seeking a “fair share” in a pipeline project that may impact the quantum of their business.
The White Oil Pipeline project, inaugurated in 2005, aims to facilitate the smooth transportation of oil between Karachi’s Keamari district and Mehmood Kot in Punjab, with the goal of reducing the traffic congestion caused by approximately 4,000 trucks and mitigating negative environmental impacts.
The project is managed by the Pak-Arab Pipeline Companies Limited (PAPCO) and is considered crucial for sustaining industrial growth and agricultural productivity, especially as energy demands in the country continue to rise.
However, the Oil Tankers Contractors Association of Pakistan initiated a strike over the weekend, citing dissatisfaction with their share in the project and its failure to compensate for their lost business.
“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.
The letter noted that the oil loading activities at Port Qasim, Qur’angi and Keamari terminals had been severely affected, while the supply chain disruptions were beginning to create problems at 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.
Meanwhile, the oil transporters association said its members would continue their wheel-jam strike until they got a “fair share” in 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 emphasized the potential idling of their modern vehicles and the risk of job losses among their workforce.
As of now, the government has not responded to these developments or engaged in negotiations with the oil transporters to resolve the situation.
