Fuel shortage threat: Pumps to close from Monday

LAHORE: The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has warned that if supply is not restored, petrol pumps across the country will start closing from Monday.

According to details, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, expressing concern over the severe shortage of petroleum products in the country, has warned that if supply is not restored, petrol pumps across the country will start closing from Monday.

The association’s central secretary general, Chaudhry Irfan Elahi, said that petrol supply across the country has dropped by 50 percent and diesel supply has reduced to only 20 percent of normal, which is likely to severely affect the transport sector.

Lahore President Jahanzeb Malik and Central Punjab President Noman Majeed have demanded the government to ensure uninterrupted supply of petrol to retail outlets.

He criticized the administration, saying that in the name of inspection, petrol pumps are being targeted instead of supply depots, and some private companies have started hoarding petroleum products to create an artificial shortage.

The All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association had written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a day ago, informing him that due to limited supply, they were unable to meet the demand of the public.

On the other hand, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, contrary to the claims of the dealers, has issued a statement saying that there is ample stock of petroleum products in the country. Thanks to early imports, Pakistan has enough petrol for 28 days of consumption, so there is no need to panic.