Petrol crisis wreaks havoc, its end will take time

LAHORE: Most parts of the country continues remaining hit by petrol crisis, while Lahore even on the 10th day witnessed acute scarcity of petrol, as oil refineries petrol supply felling far short of the demand wreaked havoc for the citizens.

Meanwhile, Federal Secretary Petroleum, Ijaz Chaudhry appearing before the Public Accounts Committee said that the oil companies didn’t maintain the stocks in accordance with the rules, which triggered the scarcity. He held OGRA and his own ministry responsible for letting the crisis brewing. He further said the ending the crisis would take some time. Ijaz Chaudhry said that the oil companies violating license rules have been issued show cause notices. He assured no such oil scarcity would be allowed in future.

Public Accounts Committee has sought within two days report delineating the reasons for the acute shortage, the person responsible for it and the reforms safeguarding any such mishap in future.

Audit officials told the Committee that PSO has refunded Rs17 billion to three refineries in violation of rules and its record was not being provided to the audit. PAC thus directed PSO for providing the record by July 10.

On the other hand, the shortage of petrol continues in many cities and according to secretary petroleum the oil companies were responsible for this shortage.

According to MP&NR secretary it will take some time for supplies to resume to their normal levels. Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Jhang and several areas of Punjab have been without petrol for over a week. Where available it is being sold at inflated prices.

The shortage also continues in Muzaffarabad and adjoining areas, where residents have been without petrol for 13 days.