After a whooping increase in petrol prices, now; the fuel crisis is on the brink. As per media reports, petrol pumps are closed in various cities of Punjab to beget an alleged petrol shortage in the province, annoying motorists waiting in long queues.
Reports have informed that most of the petrol pumps are closed in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sargodha. Moreover, a few petrol pumps are open in Shakargarh, Khushab, Gojra, Mandi Bahauddin providing Rs. 200 worth of petrol to motorcyclists and other vehicles are provided with not more then Rs. 500 worth of fuel.
Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association’s secretary, information Khawaja Atif revealed, “In Lahore, around 70 of the total 450 pumps are dry. The areas where the pumps are closed due to shortage of petrol include Shahdra, Wagah, Litton Road, and Jain Mandar”.
On the contrary, Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik, rubbished the news, narrating fuel shortage. Minister claimed that there is enough stock of petrol for next 20 days and that of diesel for 2 days. While long queues at the petrol pumps portray a different episode.
Oil Companies Letter to Govt
Last week, the Oil Company Advisory Council (OCAC) wrote a letter to the finance secretary on behalf of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and refineries. It drew the ministry’s attention towards the issue begot in the face of closed LCs. The council stated, “If LCs are not established on a timely basis, critical imports of petroleum products will be impacted, which may lead to a fuel shortage in the country.”
The official believes there could be another price hike in the coming days, and the shortage issue can be resolved if the LCs are open and the economy starts to stabilize. The situation is grave as there would be another price increase, which can be in the next few days or on February 15, 2023.
