Attock Refinery Limited (ARL) has temporarily shut down its main crude distillation unit after traffic restrictions in Islamabad disrupted crude oil supply and product dispatch operations.
According to the company’s official filing, the affected unit is HBU-I, which has a processing capacity of 32,400 barrels per stream day (BPSD). ARL said the movement of oil tank lorries to and from the refinery was suspended due to road closures and restrictions linked to the expected arrival of foreign delegations in the federal capital.
What Happened
The refinery said the restrictions halted tanker movement, directly affecting both incoming crude oil supplies and outgoing fuel dispatches. As a result, refinery operations were disrupted and the company decided to shut down its main crude unit.
In its regulatory disclosure to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), ARL stated that the situation had adversely affected both crude receipts and product dispatches.
Operational Impact
The company said the disruption has led to:
- a sharp decline in crude oil receipts
- a halt in product dispatches
- a build-up in Motor Spirit (MS) and High-Speed Diesel (HSD) stocks
These operational constraints forced the refinery to suspend the main unit until traffic conditions improve.
Regions That May Be Affected
Attock Refinery supplies fuel to several key regions, including:
- central Punjab
- northern Punjab
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Azad Jammu and Kashmir
- Gilgit-Baltistan
Any prolonged disruption in operations could affect fuel logistics across these areas.
Why It Matters
This development shows how movement restrictions in key areas can affect Pakistan’s fuel supply chain. Refineries depend on smooth tanker movement for both receiving crude and dispatching refined products. When that chain is disrupted, operations can slow down or stop altogether.
Given ARL’s role in fuel supply, any prolonged disruption may affect petroleum logistics in areas linked to its distribution network.
Also Read: Pakistan Paying Highest Ever Premium On Petroleum Imports
Way Forward
The immediate issue is restoring normal tanker movement. Once traffic conditions improve, the refinery will be better positioned to resume crude intake, clear product stocks, and resume normal operations.
Going forward, this incident also highlights the need for stronger contingency planning around fuel logistics, especially when major movement restrictions are expected in and around high-security zones.
Conclusion
The official notification leaves little room for doubt: ARL’s main crude unit has been shut due to supply and dispatch disruptions caused by traffic curbs linked to diplomatic movement in Islamabad. The next development to watch will be how quickly road access normalises and refinery operations resume.
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