Pakistan government centralises high‑speed diesel imports under state oil firm

The federal government of Pakistan has ordered that private oil marketing companies (OMCs) may no longer import high‑speed diesel (HSD) on their own. All diesel procurement is now to be handled by Pakistan State Oil (PSO), the state‑run fuel marketer, with private firms required to seek prior approval from the National Coordination and Management Council (NCMC) for any imports.

The restriction is presented as a “targeted intervention” to curb the rising oil import bill and ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves amid volatile global oil markets and regional instability. Industry officials warned that while centralisation could help control costs, it “risks creating logistical bottlenecks if demand outpaces PSO’s handling capacity.” The policy will remain in force until the situation in the Middle East stabilises, though limited exceptions for acute shortages are permitted.