Fuel-deficit Pakistan had in March this year removed gasoline or petrol from the list of banned imports from India. It, however, allowed petrol imports only through sea routes like in diesel.
Since 2009, when diesel imports from India were permitted, Indian oil firms have found it difficult to match the rate Pakistan gets from its ally Kuwait for sea shipments.
But if land route is opened, trucking diesel and petrol from the recently commissioned Bhatinda refinery of HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd or from Jalandhar depot of Indian Oil Corp (IOC) would be very cost effective, an official said.
He said this after the first meeting of Experts Group on Trade in Petroleum and Petrochemical Products of the two countries here.
The official said HPCL/HMEL and IOC offered to build pipelines to Lahore from Bhatinda or Jalandhar.
Also, New Delhi suggested allowing solid products like pet coke, sulphur and chemicals to be trucked via Attari-Wagah border instead of Pakistan currently allowing its import only through rail.
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Trucking operations give a far greater flexibility and cost effective option for moving oil products from HMEL's Bhatinda or IOC's Panipat refineries, the official said.
Islamabad, which was represented by Shabbir Ahmad, Joint Secretary in Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources, did not give any assurance on opening land route for petrol and diesel imports but was positive on allowing products like pet coke and sulphur on trucks. (MORE)