Karachi, May 26 (IANS): Foreign banks have stopped offering trade credit for oil imports to Pakistan refineries, and some suppliers are seeking payment upfront to avoid potential problems resulting from political standoff in the country, the media reported.

They said politically-tense Pakistan is likely to face fuel shortages in days to come as international banks have refused to confirm letter of credits (LCs) for oil import orders citing "high country risk" alert, The News reported.

For the import of crude oil from the global market, LCs are opened by the local banks. However international banks confirm the LCs of local partners to provide guarantee to the exporter. Under the guarantee if a Pakistani bank defaults on a payment to an exporter, its international counterpart pays the amount.

"The political unrest has increased the country's risk in the eyes of international banks and they are reluctant to confirm LCs," a source in the oil sector told The News.

The source said a quasi-stalemate in Pakistan's talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had also complicated the situation.

"The deadlock has created a serious credibility crisis for the country in the global market."

Sources pointed out that following the Sri Lanka default, an overall negative environment emerged in Pakistan, being perceived as the next country heading towards a default after a serious balance of payment crisis and a huge erosion of foreign exchange reserves, The News reported.

"This situation has not only severely dented Pakistan's credit rating, but it also has added to the country's risk especially for confirming the LCs."

Sources said that refineries and oil marketing companies (OMCs) are in serious trouble.