KARACHI: Oil marketing companies (OMCs) recorded total sales of 1.5 million tonnes in October, remaining flat year-on-year (YoY) but rising 9pc month-on-month (MoM), driven mainly by higher diesel consumption during the harvesting season.

According to Myesha Sohail of Topline Secu­ri­ties, the MoM growth was supported by a rebound in high-speed diesel (HSD) demand following the end of monsoon rains and flo­oding across the country.

Cumulative OMC sales reached 5.4 million tonnes in the first four months of FY26 (4MFY26), reflecting a 4pc YoY increase compared to 5.2m tonnes in the same period of FY25.

Petrol sales declined 2pc YoY and 4pc MoM to 657,000 tonnes in October. However, cumulative petrol sales for 4MFY26 rose 4pc to 2.628m tonnes compared with the same period last year.

HSD sales grew 4pc YoY and 21pc MoM to 714,000 tonnes in October. Total diesel sales during 4MFY26 reached 2.336m tonnes, marking an 11pc increase from the previous fiscal period.

Meanwhile, furnace oil (FO) sales fell sharply by 52pc YoY to 28,000 tonnes, although they surged 108pc MoM due to intermittent demand from power producers. Cumula­tive FO sales for 4MFY26 stood at 75,000 tonnes, down 72pc compared with the same period last year.

According to the report, Cynergy, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Pearl PARCO were the leading sellers of furnace oil during October.

Ms Sohail noted that overall oil sales in FY26 are expected to grow bet­ween 7pc and 10pc, supported by stronger economic activity, higher transportation demand, and improving agricultural output.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2025