KARACHI: Pakistan’s refining sector recorded a solid performance in April 2026, with total refinery uplift increasing by 12.7% year-on-year, driven primarily by higher demand for high-speed diesel (HSD) and furnace oil (FO), according to industry data.
HSD uplift rose 11.3% to 442,000 tonnes, supported by tighter controls on alternative fuel inflows, potential disruptions in imports, and improved refinery utilisation. FO offtake also posted a sharp increase of 26% to 235,000 tonnes, while sales by oil marketing companies rose 62.7% to 137,000 tonnes. Motor spirit (petrol) uplift, however, edged down 1.7% year-on-year.
On a cumulative basis, refinery uplift during the first ten months of FY26 reached 9 million tonnes, up 12.6% compared to the same period last year, led by strong growth in both petrol and diesel demand.
Among individual refiners, Attock Refinery Limited posted sales of 153,000 tonnes, up 32.7% year-on-year, with a notable surge in FO volumes. However, its petrol and diesel output declined due to temporary supply disruptions, which also led to a brief shutdown of its crude distillation unit before operations resumed in early May.
Pakistan Refinery Limited reported an 18.1% increase in sales, driven by growth in both petrol and FO, while National Refinery Limited saw a strong 78% jump in sales, supported by gains across all major fuel segments.
Cnergyico PK Limited also recorded a 29.9% increase in sales, with significant growth in petrol and diesel volumes, although utilisation remained comparatively lower than peers.
Overall refinery production rose 10.7% year-on-year to 993,000 tonnes, with diesel accounting for over half of total output. Industry-wide utilisation stood at 58.1%, slightly higher than the previous month and well above last year’s level, reflecting improved operational activity and stronger downstream demand conditions.
