ISLAMABAD: On Tuesday, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) vehemently refuted rumours that fuel and gasoline were in limited supply nationwide.

After a large number of people flocked to the pumps and frantically purchased the product, OGRA spokesperson Imran Ghaznavi confirmed in a news release that "sufficient stockpiles of petrol and diesel are available across the country."

He said that the nation had enough gasoline and diesel supplies to last 18 and 37 days, respectively.

The representative continued, "Ships carrying 101,000 (tonnes) of gasoline are furthermore at berth/outer anchorage."

The neighbourhood refineries, according to Ghaznavi, were "doing their appropriate role" in supplying the demand for petroleum products.

It should be mentioned that yesterday, amid reports of a shortage of gasoline and diesel, people began to swarm the gas stations. In Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar, there were reportedly long lines of cars outside practically every gas station.

Additionally, the chairman of the Petroleum Dealers Association of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa claimed that 50% of Peshawar's gas stations had no fuel.

The rumours gained momentum when the country's power restoration experienced an extraordinary delay that left the entire nation in the dark.

Earlier, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) had stated that there were "ample supplies available in the supply chain as per OGRA mandated days cover," denying any rumours about a fuel scarcity in the nation.