KARACHI: Attock Refinery Limited (ARL) has announced the shutdown of its main crude distillation unit after oil tanker movement to and from the facility was suspended due to traffic restrictions in the capital ahead of the expected arrival of foreign delegates.
In a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, copy of which is available with MM News, ARL said the halt in tanker traffic had led to a decline in crude oil receipts, forcing the closure of its Hydro Skimming Unit-I (HBU-I) with a processing capacity of 32,400 barrels per stream day. The company added that operations would remain suspended until traffic conditions improve.
Attock Refinery forced to shut down as stocks tanks full and crude inflow stops due to halt in movement of heavy vehicles. pic.twitter.com/DI8Jqo76ZZ
— Khurram Husain (@KhurramHusain) April 22, 2026
The disclosure, signed by Company Secretary Saif Ur Rehman Mirza, was also copied to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
Likely Impact
The temporary shutdown is expected to disrupt refinery throughput and could tighten local supplies of petroleum products if prolonged. Market watchers say the development may weigh on ARL’s stock performance in the near term, with investors factoring in reduced production and potential revenue loss.
Market analysts also caution that any extended suspension could ripple into the broader energy supply chain, affecting transport and industrial demand. However, traders note that the impact may be contained if restrictions ease quickly once the diplomatic engagements conclude.
