A Senate committee has narrowly pushed through the Petroleum Amendment Bill 2025, sparking tensions with lawmakers from Balochistan who say the legislation could cripple livelihoods in the province.
The Standing Committee on Petroleum approved the bill by a slim margin of three votes to two. Supporters argue the amendments are urgently needed to clamp down on the multi-billion-rupee trade in smuggled fuel, while opponents fear it will deepen economic woes in fuel-dependent border regions.
What the Bill Proposes
The draft law introduces six new provisions aimed at curbing fuel smuggling. Among them:
- Power to seal petrol pumps found selling smuggled fuel.
- Confiscation of equipment and vehicles used in the trade.
- Expanded authority for customs officials to seize transport vehicles.
- New magisterial powers for deputy commissioners to manage seized goods and penalize offenders.
Officials say the legislation is targeted at large-scale smuggling, specifically tankers carrying over 40,000 liters of illegal fuel. “This is about dismantling organized smuggling networks, not going after motorbikes or small vehicles,” the petroleum secretary told the committee, adding that unchecked smuggling drains billions from state revenue while enriching criminal cartels.
Resistance from Balochistan
Despite those assurances, senators from Balochistan remained unconvinced. Senator Maulana Abdul Wasey argued the crackdown would devastate the local economy, pointing out that thousands of small vehicles transporting fuel had already been confiscated. He warned the legislation risked stoking further resentment in the province.
Senator Saadia Abbasi echoed his concerns, insisting the bill should not move forward without thorough consultation with provincial representatives and the petroleum sector. She urged the committee to seek input from the Federal Board of Revenue and Customs before finalizing the law.
Balancing Enforcement and Local Realities
Committee chair Senator Umar Farooq acknowledged the concerns and said recommendations would be added to soften the bill’s impact on ordinary citizens. Still, the approval signals momentum for the legislation, setting up a larger political debate as it moves closer to becoming law.
The clash highlights a long-standing dilemma in Pakistan’s policymaking: how to crack down on lucrative smuggling operations without destabilizing fragile local economies that often depend on the informal fuel trade.
