The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association on Thursday cautioned that fuel availability at retail outlets has dropped by nearly half nationwide and warned that petrol pumps could begin shutting down from Monday if regular supplies are not resumed.

Central Secretary General Chaudhry Irfan Elahi said diesel deliveries have fallen to just 20 percent of normal volumes, while petrol supply has also declined sharply, creating operational pressure for dealers.

Lahore President Jehanzaib Malik urged the government to ensure continuous supply to retail stations, arguing that enforcement actions should focus on supply depots rather than petrol pumps. He warned that prolonged disruption would force outlets to suspend operations from the start of next week.

Central Punjab President Nauman Majeed stated that petrol supply has been reduced by 50 percent and alleged that certain private companies are engaging in hoarding.

A day earlier, the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, stating that restricted deliveries had left many outlets struggling to meet consumer demand.

Meanwhile, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority said the country holds sufficient petroleum stocks to meet up to 28 days of consumption following advance imports.

However, multiple cargoes remain stranded due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Key oil exporters including Saudi Arabia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq depend on the route to ship crude primarily to Asian markets, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.