This letter refers to the news report, ‘Furnace oil exports surge due to low domestic demand’ (October 19). Pakistani refineries have been compelled to export 300,000MT of furnace oil in the past three months due to a lack of domestic demand. Simultaneously, the government of Pakistan has been unable to grant approval to upgrade the oil refineries. If permission is granted, cracking units could be installed to enable the refineries to produce diesel and petrol from furnace oil. This change could yield savings of $1 billion (Rs278 billion) annually. However, the request has been pending for over five years, even though the oil refineries are ready and able to arrange the necessary financing. Why are our politicians and bureaucrats so casual and indifferent, especially when the public is suffering from inflation?
Syed Hussein El-Edroos
Islamabad
