ISLAMABAD: State-owned oil marketing company, PSO has started to import Euro-V standard fuel into the country, in an effort to import better quality fuel, primarily aimed at protecting the environment from climate change and global warming.

Spokesperson of the Petroleum Division said a policy had been formulated for switching of petrol imports to Euro-V specifications from August 2020, and all imports of diesel will be conformed to Euro-V standard by January 2021, in order to revolutionise the fuel mix of the country.

This policy guidelines, he said had been shared with the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for implementation and ensuring import of Euro-V petrol and diesel in line with deadlines set by the federal government.

The Euro-V petrol will help to cut down the sulphur content to avoid the air pollution but also to improve the health of vehicles that have been affected by low-quality fuel.

The government is encouraging private OMCs to introduce better grade fuel to protect the environment.

The PSO also took the lead in providing electric charging facility at one of its fuel stations in the federal capital, which was inaugurated by Omar Ayub Khan last month.

The Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) has also set up testing laboratories for the examination of Euro-V fuels specifications before the OMCs to begin importing the upgraded version of petrol and diesel in the country.

The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) considered a Petroleum Division proposal on June 4, 2020, on the issue of import of Euro-V diesel and petrol.

Regarding import of petrol, the CCoE directed that, "the process of switching of petrol imports to Euro-V specifications shall be initiated forthwith. Imports of petrol below Euro-V specifications shall not be allowed to any OMC beyond August 1, 2020."

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020

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