Pakistan State Oil is a Pakistani petroleum corporation involved in marketing and distribution of petroleum products.[3] It has a network of 3,689 petroleum filling stations, out of which 3500 outlets serve the public retail sector and 189 outlets serve wholesale bulk customers. It is the largest fuel marketing company of Pakistan.[4][5][3][6]
The creation of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) can be traced back to the year 1974, when on 1 January; the government took over and merged National Oil (PNO) and Dawood Petroleum Limited (DPL) as Premiere Oil Company Limited (POCL).[6]
Soon after that, on 3 June 1974, Petroleum Storage Development Corporation (PSDC) came into existence. PSDC was then renamed as State Oil Company Limited (SOCL) on 23 August 1976. Following that, the Esso undertakings were purchased on 15 September 1976 and control was vested in SOCL. The end of that year (30 December 1976) saw the merger of the Premier Oil Company Limited and State Oil Company Limited, giving way to Pakistan state Oil (PSO).[7] A year later, it was listed on the Karachi Stock Exchange.[8]
After PSO's inception, the corporate culture underwent a comprehensive renewal program which was fully implemented in 2004. This program over the years included the revamping of the organizational architecture, rationalization of staff, employee empowerment and transparency in decision making through cross functional teams. This new corporate renewal program has divided the company's major operations into independent activities supported by legal, financial, informative and other services. In order to reinforce and monitor this structural change, related check and balances have been established by incorporating monitoring and control systems. Due to this effective implementation of corporate reform and consistent application of the best industrial practices and business development strategies, PSO has been able to maintain its market leadership in a highly competitive business environment. Pakistan State Oil delivers kerosene, light diesel oil and lubricants to consumers through over 500 distributors all over Pakistan.[6]
Company overview
PSO controls a market share of over 60% of the total oil market with customer portfolio including dealers, government agencies, autonomous bodies, independent power projects and other corporate customers. It is involved in import, storage, distribution and marketing of a range of petroleum products including gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, jet fuel, LPG, CNG and petrochemicals.[6]
It was founded on December 30, 1976,[4] after Pakistan's government took over the management of Pakistan National Oil (PNO) and Dawood Petroleum Limited, Esso Eastern and renamed into POCL (Premier Oil Company Limited) for marketing of Petroleum Products. PSO is the first public company in Pakistan to pass the PKR 1 trillion revenue mark. Pakistan State Oil has been a member of the World Economic Forum since 2003.[6] Its primary listing is on the Pakistan Stock Exchange.[6]
In 2023, PSO inaugurated an aircraft re-fueling facility at Skardu International Airport. This move establishes PSO as the only oil marketing company in Pakistan to extend its services to Gilgit-Baltistan region. [10][11]
The Government of Pakistan owns 22.47% of the PSO with a total of 51% direct and indirect investment.
PSO owns 63.6% of Pakistan Refinery Limited. The company has established a network of incorporated subsidiaries managed from Karachi: Cerisma (Private) Limited, PSO Renewable Energy (Private) Limited and PSO Venture Private Capital (Limited). In 2024, PSO proposed swapping debt for stake in public sector companies including Pakistan International Airlines.[12][13]
PSO and PIA
In May 2024, CEO and Managing Director of PSO Syed Muhammad Taha announced that PSO, the state owned oil distributor was also a part of the broader settlement framework to privatize the national flag carrierPakistan International Airlines.[14]
