KARACHI: Petroleum sales in Pakistan fell by 7.0 per cent to 1.36 million tonnes in April, compared with 1.45 million tonnes in the same month last fiscal year, as elevated fuel prices weighed on demand.
Sales of oil products also declined by 6.0 per cent month-on-month (MoM). Excluding furnace oil (FO), the contraction was sharper, with volumes falling 11 per cent year-on-year (YoY) and 10 per cent MoM to 1.22 million tonnes, data released on Monday showed.
The downturn was largely attributed to a sharp rise in domestic fuel prices, driven by higher international oil rates. The average price of motor spirit (MS) increased by 54 per cent YoY to Rs392.64 per litre, while high-speed diesel (HSD) prices rose 67 per cent to Rs431.97 per litre, despite the removal of the levy on HSD.
HSD sales declined by 12 per cent YoY in April, primarily due to elevated prices and lower tractor sales. MS volumes also dropped by 7.0 per cent under similar pressures. In contrast, FO sales rose by 63 per cent YoY, supported by higher power generation demand and increased reliance on FO-based plants amid disruptions in re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) supplies.
On a monthly basis, MS offtake fell by 8.0 per cent to 0.61 million tonnes, while HSD sales decreased by 7.0 per cent to 0.55 million tonnes. FO sales, however, rose by 56 per cent MoM, indicating greater dependence on furnace oil for electricity generation.
Despite the monthly decline, cumulative petroleum sales during the first 10 months of FY2026 increased by 4.0 per cent YoY to 13.76 million tonnes, compared with 13.22 million tonnes in the same period last year. Excluding FO, sales rose by 5.0 per cent to 13.23 million tonnes. Product-wise, MS, HSD and FO volumes stood at 6.41 million tonnes, 5.90 million tonnes and 0.53 million tonnes, respectively.
Among oil marketing companies, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) reported a 5.0 per cent YoY decline in sales to 0.59 million tonnes in April. MS and HSD offtake fell by 10 per cent and 9.0 per cent, respectively, while FO sales increased sharply during the month.
During the first 10 months of FY2026, PSO’s market share declined to 42.4 per cent from 44.5 per cent a year earlier. In contrast, Gas & Oil Pakistan Ltd (GO) increased its share to 12 per cent from 10.2 per cent. Attock Petroleum Limited (APL) recorded a 6.0 per cent YoY decline in offtake to 0.12 million tonnes, with its market share easing to 8.2 per cent.
Wafi Energy Pakistan (formerly Shell Pakistan) maintained stable volumes, with its market share improving slightly to 8.0 per cent. Meanwhile, Hascol Petroleum recorded a 26 per cent YoY decline in sales, with its market share slipping to 3.1 per cent.Petroleum levy collection during July-April FY2026 reached approximately Rs1.28 trillion.
