The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has called on the government to take urgent action against the alleged misuse of solvent oil in petrol and diesel, warning that the practice is disrupting the fuel market, damaging vehicles, and causing substantial losses to the national exchequer.
In a formal letter addressed to Ali Pervaiz Malik, the association claimed that certain operators are blending solvent oil—an industrial product that is cheaper and taxed under a different regime—with motor spirit and high-speed diesel to artificially increase profit margins.
Concerns Raised at FPCCI Meeting
The issue was discussed during a recent meeting of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Central Standing Committee on Petroleum Products and Dealers, where industry stakeholders expressed concern over the growing impact of fuel adulteration.
According to PPDA, the alleged blending has resulted in engine damage, eroded consumer trust, and placed legitimate fuel retailers at a competitive disadvantage. The association also warned that the practice leads to serious tax evasion and violations of petroleum regulations.
Call for Investigation and Enforcement
The dealers’ body has urged authorities to launch a comprehensive investigation into the production, import, and distribution of solvent oil. This includes scrutiny of refinery outputs, customs import data, sales records, and supply chains.
PPDA has recommended mandatory documentation of buyers and end users, stricter oversight of transportation and storage, surprise inspections, laboratory testing of fuels, and severe penalties for those involved in adulteration networks.
Regulatory Intervention Sought
PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan emphasized that coordinated enforcement across refineries, importers, and distributors is essential to curb the practice effectively. A copy of the letter has also been sent to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, requesting immediate regulatory intervention.
While solvent oil is legally produced and traded for approved industrial uses such as paints and manufacturing, dealers warned that its diversion into transport fuels poses serious risks to consumers, the fuel supply chain, and government revenues.
