A massive fuel adulteration scandal worth PKR 135 billion (approx. $480 million) has been uncovered in Pakistan, where hazardous chemicals were illegally mixed with petrol, putting millions at risk and causing major economic losses.
The case surfaced in August 2024 when the Prime Minister’s Office launched an inquiry. A committee submitted its findings directly to the Prime Minister, confirming widespread malpractice in the fuel import and distribution process.
Customs Intelligence had first flagged irregularities in May 2024. But the issue remained unaddressed until July 29, when operations were suspended and 807 fuel tankers were seized at the Taftan-NLC Dry Port in Balochistan province. Among them were 160 tankers carrying fuel smuggled from neighboring Iran.
Investigators found that the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), a government-owned organization, had issued clearance reports for the adulterated fuel. Those reports enabled the hazardous product to enter the market unchecked.
Five government officials were implicated. They included two retired senior officers — Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, a chief scientific officer, and Zaher-ud-Din, a senior scientific officer.
Three current mid-level officers were also found responsible: experimental officer Muhammad Ajmal, scientific officer Junaid Ahmed, and scientific officer Hiba Amanat Ali.
Disciplinary action has already been taken against the serving officers. Ajmal was demoted, while Ahmed and Ali had their annual pay raises frozen. Cases against the retired officials, along with the others, have been forwarded to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistan’s top investigative body, for further action.
The scandal highlighted systemic weaknesses in Pakistan’s regulatory oversight, possible collusion between customs and laboratory officials, and the exploitation of legal loopholes in petroleum import laws.
Authorities said the ongoing investigation aims to hold those responsible accountable and recommend reforms to prevent similar threats to public safety and the economy.
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