Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik informed the Senate on Thursday that local refineries met around 30 to 40 per cent of the country’s petrol requirement, with the remaining demand met through imports.
Local refineries meet up to 40pc of country’s petrol demand: Senate told
ISLAMABAD, Oct 29 (APP): Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik informed the Senate on Thursday that local refineries met around 30 to 40 per cent of the country’s petrol requirement, with the remaining demand met through imports.
Replying to questions during Question Hour, he said Pakistan produced about 60,000 to 70,000 barrels of crude oil daily, while refinery capacity stood at around 450,000 to 500,000 barrels a day. Refineries therefore also processed imported crude, he added.
Pervaiz Malik said the government was importing crude oil to enable local refineries to meet domestic diesel demand, as refined products had become expensive and refineries in the region faced constraints.
During peak demand, some refined fuel could also be imported through the Pakistan State Oil (PSO), he said. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) reviewed demand and supply twice a month and procured products through competitive tenders.
The minister said the petroleum price breakdown, including duties and levies, was available on OGRA’s website.
He said an Rs 80 per litre petroleum levy applied to both petrol and diesel under the agreement with the International Monetary Fund, along with a Rs5 per litre climate support levy.
The collections were deposited in the government’s consolidated fund; the Finance Ministry could provide details about their allocation, he added. On refinery upgrades, Pervaiz Malik said the government was revising the refinery policy.
He also said a meeting with the chief minister of Balochistan was planned in Quetta the following week to discuss gas supply and slab-related concerns. The province had about 300,000 gas connections, including around 250,000 in Quetta, he added.
