By Moaaz Manzoor

Pakistan's petroleum product (POL) sales moderated in April 2026 after reaching a four-month high in March, with the transport sector retaining its position as the country's largest fuel consumer, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The SBP data show that total POL sales across all sectors stood at 1.599 million metric tons in April, down from 1.608 million metric tons in March but well above 1.373 million metric tons recorded in February. Total sales had reached 1.685 million metric tons in January, the highest level during the six months from November 2025 to April 2026.

Transport continued to dominate petroleum consumption, accounting for 1.141 million metric tons of total sales in April. Although lower than 1.248 million metric tons recorded in March, transport demand remained significantly higher than consumption by all other sectors combined, underlining its central role in the country's petroleum market.

POL sales under the "Overseas" category amounted to 283,284 metric tons in April, compared with 232,499 metric tons in March and 133,830 metric tons in February. Overseas sales had peaked at 298,347 metric tons in November before declining in the following months and recovering in March and April.

The power sector recorded the sharpest month-on-month increase in April. Petroleum sales to power producers surged to 88,846 metric tons, more than doubling from 33,070 metric tons in March and substantially exceeding 1,227 metric tons in February. The April figure was the highest recorded for the sector during the six months.

Industrial demand also strengthened during April. POL sales to industry increased to 58,488 metric tons, up from 56,711 metric tons in March. Government consumption, however, declined to 27,678 metric tons from 36,902 metric tons a month earlier, although it remained above the levels recorded between November and February.

Meanwhile, petroleum sales to agriculture fell slightly to 270 metric tons in April from 288 metric tons in March, while domestic consumption dropped to 233 metric tons, its lowest level during the six months under review.

The latest SBP data indicate that transport remained the primary driver of petroleum demand, while stronger consumption by the power and industrial sectors partly offset declines in government and transport sales in April.

Credit: INP-WealthPk