KARACHI, Jan 6: Pakistan has again sought import of petrol to avert any shortage of the commodity.

An official in the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) said it would issue a tender on Wednesday seeking a firm import of 25,000 tons of petrol (Mogas 87 RON) for January 24-26, 2009. The tender also seeks 25,000 tons (optional) import for February and March.

The PSO had imported 25,000 tons for the period of December 19-21, 2008 in anticipation of rising demand.

There has been a massive shortage of petrol especially in Punjab recently when around 50 per cent of the fuel pumps dried out especially in the last days before fortnightly review on December 31, 2008. Petroleum dealers and oil marketing companies (OMCs) blamed each other for the shortage.

The PSO official said due to gas load-shedding mainly in Punjab areas the sale of CNG had remained suspended, thus pushing up demand of petrol abruptly. Besides, heavy fog had also delayed the transportation of petrol to the up-country from Karachi, thus creating shortage at many retail outlets.

Owing to these factors, the government had decided to maintain the availability of the petrol in the current month, he added.

The official said that from last month’s import of 25,000 tons by the PSO, some OMCs had taken around 10,000 tons.

Petrol demand has been on the rise as the price difference between CNG and petrol has shrunk rapidly. Despite frequent cut in petrol price, the difference in terms of saving while running a car on CNG is now 44.5 per cent as compared to 62 per cent few months back.

Petrol now sells at Rs57.66 per litre as compared to peak level of Rs86.66 per litre from July 21 to September 1, 2008.

There might be some increase in petrol import bill after increase in crude oil prices worldwide. Last month when petrol was imported at $40 per barrel which means that import of 25,000 tons might had cost around $809 million. Local refineries under the current operating level are now producing around 120,000 tons of petrol every month.

Pakistan has been exporting and importing petrol for the last few years keeping in view that demand and supply situation.