ISLAMABAD (April 23, 2026) — Attock Refinery Limited (ARL) has normalized its operations after the federal government and military leadership intervened to restore vital transport links. The refinery, which had been forced into a complete shutdown just 24 hours prior, resumed receiving crude oil and dispatching refined products late last night.
Highlights
- Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and the General Headquarters (GHQ) facilitated the “right of way” for oil tankers through security cordons.
- The main crude distillation unit (32,400 barrels per day) is back online.
- Fuel flow has resumed to northern and central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, AJK, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
- ARL has formally notified the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) of the resumption of its refining activities.
Fuel supply from Attock Refinery Limited has resumed after authorities restored the movement of oil tankers, easing concerns over potential fuel shortages in northern Pakistan.
The refinery had temporarily shut down its main crude distillation unit after road closures disrupted… pic.twitter.com/OhZWsT3wap
— Pakistan Economic Network (@NetPakistan) April 23, 2026
Ending the Energy Gridlock
The brief shutdown was triggered by intense security measures and road closures surrounding the “Islamabad Talks 2.0.” The halt in tanker movement had caused a dangerous spike in refined product inventories at the refinery while simultaneously starving it of raw crude from local oil fields in the Potohar and Nashpa regions.
Management had warned that a prolonged closure would not only cause structural damage to regional oil wells but also trigger an acute shortage of aviation fuel at Islamabad and Peshawar airports.
A Critical Relief for the National Grid
The resumption of ARL operations provides much-needed relief to the energy sector, which is currently grappling with a 4,500MW power shortfall.
IPPs Support: The refinery is now able to resume the supply of Furnace Fuel Oil to Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
Strategic Reserves: Dispatches of Motor Spirit (MS) and High-Speed Diesel (HSD) have been prioritized to restock retail outlets that faced depletion during the two-day transport freeze.
While security remains high in the capital as foreign delegates arrive for the second round of US-Iran negotiations, the government has established a “dedicated corridor” for essential fuel transport to ensure the national economy and defense logistics remain unaffected by the diplomatic summit.
You May Like To Read: Azerbaijan offers LNG lifeline to Pakistan as Hormuz blockade strands Qatari shipments
Check out our latest video:
