Pakistan on Friday sought immediate supply of petrol from India through the land route to meet the widening deficit and flaring demand. New Delhi readily agreed in principle.
“I met Petroleum Secretary G.C. Chaturvedi and discussed the issue of import of petrol from India,” Pakistan Secretary for Petroleum and Natural Resources Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry told journalists on the sidelines of the Seventh Asia Gas Partnership Summit here.
Both sides also discussed the supply of Indian petrochemical products to Pakistan. It was decided that officials of both countries will meet next month to finalise the modalities for making the supplies.
India has indicated that it will supply petrol from Bhatinda, where Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited is about to commission a refinery. Indian Oil Corporation has hinted at supplying petrol, diesel and petrochemical products from its depot at Bhatinda and from the Mathura and Panipat refineries.
Mr. Chaudhry said Pakistan at present wanted only petrol. However, a major hurdle was fuel specification — while Pakistan sold Euro-II grade fuel, Indian refineries produced petrol and diesel that met Euro-III & IV standards.
Referring to diesel and jet fuel, he said: “When we need jet fuel or diesel, our first port of call will be India.”
Talks were on to put in place a dedicated pipeline for fuel supplies in future, he noted.
Mr. Chaudhry also discussed the transit fee to be paid for the proposed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.
Pakistan was keen on importing gas too from India, he added.
