Pakistanis to have better quality fuel ‘RON 92’ from Mid October

Pakistanis will have high quality fuel RON 92, or one better than it, from mid-October this year as all refineries and oil supplying/importing companies have been finalizing their strategies to upgrade the RON 87 (lower quality fuel) to higher grade RON 92.

Only one refinery, PARCO, out of the six operational refineries in Pakistan produces RON 92 grade fuel, which leads the country to import this high quality fuel from other countries.

The federal petroleum minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, had clearly directed all the oil supplying companies to provide high quality fuel to Pakistani people instead of RON 87 from end of September, 2016.

This quality petrol (RON 92) would be slightly more expensive compared to RON 87. However, sources said the government will fix the litre-price of the higher grade fuel.

The prices of RON 92 would be costlier by Rs 6-10 when compared to the super petrol being sold at the petrol pumps, according to these sources.

The spokesman of the country’s state owned company, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) said, “the company will be fully complying with government instructions. The government had said that after September and mid-October, 2016, no import of any grade less than 92 will be allowed. The company will be fully following the instructions and bringing better quality fuels shortly.”

A group representing the FPCCI asked the government to immediately introduce Euro-standard petrol as Pakistanis are using dirtiest petrol – RON (Research Octane Number) 87 – which is otherwise only used by Somalia.

The difference of price between RON 87 and quality petrol is less than three rupees per litre but it is not being imported, the official said.

Quality petrol RON 92 and RON 94 etc is not only environment-friendly but would also save automotive repair costs as the consumption on petrol in country is up to 17,000 tonnes per day, in which over fifty percent is consumed by motorcyclists.

Some stakeholders want government to allow petrol sale of three different qualities with 87, 92 and 95 RON with price differential to allow various consumer groups to have a choice according to their purchasing power.

However, experts say that the sale of high quality petrol can lead to blending and adulteration in the market, which will go against the interests of the masses. The higher the RON, better the quality and engine performance and cleaner environment, specially for new cars.