ISLAMABAD - Amid strong opposition from Balochistan’s senators, a parliamentary panel on Monday approved the Petroleum Amendment Bill 2025 by a thin margin, with three votes in favour and two against. In the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum that met under Senator Umar Farooq, senators from Balochistan strongly opposed the Petroleum Amendment Bill 2025 and warned that indiscriminate crackdown on fuel smuggling would devastate livelihoods of poor people in the province.
However, Secretary Petroleum clarified that the crackdown would target big shots, only oil tankers involved in smuggling would be confiscated, and not the small vehicles or motorcycles. Secretary Petroleum, while briefing the committee, said that big shots were involved in billions of rupees smuggling. The crackdown would primarily target large oil tankers carrying over 40,000 liters of smuggled fuel, not small vehicles or motorcycles, official of the Petroleum Division informed. Official of the Petroleum Division informed that the bill introduces six new clauses aimed at curbing rampant smuggling of petroleum products. It empowers authorities to seal filling stations selling smuggled fuel, seize related equipment, and take action against vehicles involved in the trade. Customs officials will also gain authority to confiscate vehicles transporting illegal petroleum products.
The bill further grants deputy commissioners magistrate powers to handle confiscated goods and penalize violators. Petroleum officials clarified that the crackdown would primarily target large oil tankers carrying over 40,000 liters of smuggled fuel, not small vehicles or motorcycles. Senator Maulana Abdul Wasey blasted the bill as “economic devastation” for poor families in Balochistan, where, he said, 5,000 to 6,000 small vehicles transporting fuel have already been seized. “These vehicles are the livelihood of poor people. If this bill passes, what will they do?” he asked, warning that harsher enforcement would fuel resentment in an already volatile province.
Senator Saadia Abbasi also cautioned against rushing the legislation, urging wider consultation with the petroleum industry and provincial stakeholders. “This bill directly affects common people in Balochistan. We must not pass it in haste,” she said. Petroleum Secretary defended the bill, saying smuggling of petroleum products worth billions was draining the economy and undermining government revenues, especially after the increase in petroleum levy. “The real beneficiaries are not small vehicle owners but powerful smuggling networks. The bill is essential to dismantle these operations,” he said.
He assured senators that licensed vehicles would not be targeted and pledged to incorporate the committee’s recommendations within three days. Saadia Abbasi urged that senators be given a meeting with Federal Board of Revenue and Customs officials for further clarity on the bill. She warned that passing the bill without the consent of Balochistan senators would be pointless. During the session, Petroleum Secretary revealed that billions of rupees worth of petroleum products are being smuggled in Balochistan. However, despite opposition from Balochistan’s senators, the Committee approved the Petroleum Amendment Bill 2025 by a narrow majority. Chairman committee said the committee’s recommendations would be attached to the legislation to avoid unnecessary hardships for the public.