Govt Fails To Manage Petrol Crisis After Artificial Shortage, PM Orders Investigation

Pakistan is currently going through the vicious cycle of the petroleum crisis. Reportedly, several petrol pumps in the country are closed due to the shortage of oil. Besides, the shortage of oil is making the lives of Hoi Polloi quite difficult.

Sameer Najmul Hassan, chairman of All Pakistan Petroleum Retailers Association (APPRA), commented on the issue. He said the Petrol companies ran short of the oil. Hassan added, “They have been left with a stock hardly enough to last more than three days.”

He also said the new quota of oil products is not being bought owing to a constant decrease in the quota of oil companies. No firm other than the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) is buying oil at present.

petroleum crisis pakistan

Source: Twitter

The APPRA chairperson had warned before the crisis, “The situation is expected to go from bad to worse till Sunday.”

PTI’s mismanagement

Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority OGRA was asleep and could not prevent the shortage of oil in the country. Besides, Prime Minister  Imran Khan‘s cabinet failed to regulate the prices of the oil, which hindered other companies to buy oil. Moreover, there was no mechanism to convince oil company buyers to purchase petrol.

Besides, Imran Khan was told in a cabinet meeting that supplies for June 2020 stood at 850,000 metric tonnes, compared to 650,000 metric tonnes in the same period of last year.

Furthermore, Minister for Postal Services Murad Saeed said the OGRA, “Kept on sleeping, while long queues formed outside the petrol pumps”.

The mismanagement of government led to an increase in prices of Petrol and Diesel across the country, soaring the economic crisis in the country. Reportedly, petrol pumps are charging double the recommended price.

PM Khan Orders Action

Prime minister ordered the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and Petroleum Division to take required action to guarantee regular supplies petrol within 2 to 3 days.

Furthermore, the PM also directed Petroleum Minister Omar Ayub Khan and the OGRA to make sure that all oil marketing companies (OMCs) preserved 21 days’ worth of stock in order to meet the license stipulations.

petroleum crisis pakistan

Source: Twitter

The cabinet advised the public to abstain from buying petrol. “Stocks being hoarded will be identified and made available in the market, while action will be taken against hoarders,” the statement read.

Besides, PM also ordered to investigate the whole saga. The investigation teams would consist of the representatives of the Petroleum Division, OGRA, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and particular district administrations.

“The teams shall inspect all petrol depots/storage. They have all authority to enter any site,” it continued. “Anyone found involved in hoarding shall face the full force of law, including arrest and forced release of such stores.”

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