Pakistan’s oil marketing companies (OMCs) are awaiting the release of Rs. 107 billion in outstanding price differential claims (PDCs), with industry officials warning that continued delays could strain corporate liquidity and disrupt the country’s fuel supply chain.

According to a national daily, the claims have been accumulating since mid-March 2026, but the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has yet to process the payments.

Industry representatives said that instead of settling the claims, the regulator has continued issuing revised documentation requirements, including a new format circulated as recently as last night. They noted that the repeated procedural changes have created uncertainty and further delayed disbursements.

Officials added that the sector is already facing rising financial pressure due to increased working capital needs amid higher international oil prices linked to ongoing regional tensions. As a result, companies are increasingly relying on commercial borrowing to maintain day-to-day operations.

They also expressed concern over a proposal to withhold 10 percent of any PDC disbursement pending reconciliation with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), warning that the measure could impose an additional burden of around Rs. 7.4 billion on the sector.

Industry officials cautioned that the delays are tightening supply chain credit and putting the financial viability of several OMCs at risk, which could eventually affect fuel availability nationwide.

They urged the Ministry of Energy to intervene and direct OGRA to clear all pending claims promptly, while also withdrawing the proposed withholding measure to prevent further stress on the sector’s operations.