PSO seeks jet fuel for Nato; first time since November

SINGAPORE: Pakistan State Oil (PSO) is seeking jet fuel imports for the first time since November, in a sign that supplies to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) in Afghanistan may resume in coming months, Wall Street Journal reported on February 23.

PSO is seeking one 25,000-ton cargo of jet fuel each in April and May, with an option for taking an additional cargo in the May-June period.

Pakistan's largest fuel retailer had halted imports after Islamabad closed a key supplies route for Nato forces across the border in retaliation to a Nato strike in November that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

Last week, the country said it has temporarily allowed Nato to ship perishable food to its troops in Afghanistan, the Associated Press reported Feb. 15--indicating reduced tensions.

PSO usually buys one or two 200,000-barrel cargoes of aviation fuel each month in the international market and supplies three cargoes of jet fuel every two months to Nato forces, which are trucked to Afghanistan.

Pakistan didn't import any jet fuel in December and January, according to industry data.