The state-run PSO, in a letter to the petroleum division, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, has warned of a crisis of diesel stocks, saying that the OMCs, except the PSO, have the cover of not more than 2-3 days. The OMC maintains a stock of diesel for 17 days, Shell for 6 days, Total seven days, the APL seven days the HPL 29 days, GO four days, Byco nine days and BE 12 days cover. On the contrary, PSO operated its depots for more than 20 hours on May 1 despite being the holy month of Ramazan, Labour Day and the Covid-19 risk. Keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter, PSO sought petroleum division’s action to try avoiding a national crisis which it said was already around the corner. The PSO called for strict punitive action against OMCs having low stocks level and hoarding the product with direction to maintain uninterrupted supplies to their retail outlets.

Source: The Express Tribune May 03, 2020 06:00 UTC