ISLAMABAD: The innumerable roadblocks and different preventive measures taken by the federal government towards Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) march in the direction of Islamabad have hindered gas provide throughout the nation resulting in a threat of gas scarcity in a number of cities.
In an announcement, Petroleum Dealers Association Secretary Khawaja Atif mentioned: “There is an opportunity of scarcity of petroleum merchandise in Lahore and throughout Punjab [….] Petrol inventory is low at some petrol pumps in Lahore [but] has not run out [yet].”
Atif’s remarks come as any gas scarcity would considerably add to the woes of residents — whose motion has already been restricted attributable to roadblocks — and can additional compound the monetary repercussions of the continued protest, which in keeping with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb value Rs190 billion per day to the nation.
Expanding on the state of affairs, Atif lamented the hindered gas provide and mentioned that Lahore’s every day consumption of petroleum merchandise exeeded 5 million litres, whereas the quantity stood at round 50 million litres for the entire of Punjab.
Warning that the continuation of the prevailing circumstances would possibly result in severe penalties, the affiliation’s secretary urged the federal government to open the roads in order that the gas provide might be restored.
It is to be famous that the Lahore division serves as a significant hub for financial and business exercise and the lack to replenish gas provides on time will adversely have an effect on important companies, every day operations and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands on this area and its surrounding areas.
Shedding gentle on the state of affairs in Rawalpindi, Chaudhry Zafar Elahi, President of the Petroleum Dealers Association North, expressed concern over the depleting petrol inventory at filling stations within the metropolis.
In an announcement, he mentioned that the petrol provide to pumps in Rawalpindi has been suspended attributable to street closures.
He highlighted that petrol pumps sometimes have reserves lasting three to 4 days, and the state of affairs has worsened as oil provide to pumps in Pindi has been minimal for the previous three days.
Elahi urged authorities to open roads for a couple of hours every day to make sure gas provide to pumps. He warned that if the availability will not be restored, police automobiles and different transport might face gas shortages.
Meanwhile, in Islamabad — which stays the epicentre of the PTI protest — the state of affairs stays secure with District President of Petroleum Dealers Association Raja Waseem underscoring non-existent site visitors leading to minimal gas gross sales at petrol pumps within the federal capital.
In an announcement, he assured that petrol is at present obtainable at filling stations in Islamabad, however warned that a rise in demand might create points.
For now, the state of affairs stays below management, mentioned Waseem.
However, he famous that no new gas provide is being offered to pumps from the Islamabad depot attributable to street closures, that are hindering distribution efforts.
Speaking on the problem, Oil Tanker Contractors Association spokesperson has mentioned that petrol and diesel provide has been affected in Islamabad, Gilgit and Kohala.
Noting that hundreds of tankers have been ready for the roads to be reopened, the spokesperson mentioned that there had been no provide of petroleum merchandise to Gujranwala, Jhelum, Sialkot and Kharian for the previous three days.
Fuel stations have run out of petrol in a number of cities, he added.
Ogra involved with all stakeholders
Addressing the gas scarcity considerations, the Oil and Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has assured that the federal government physique was involved with all stakeholders.
“All doable measured being taken to enhance gas provide,” learn an announcement issued by the Ogra.
The regulator’s remarks come as The Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) on Monday, as per the publication, directed the district administration in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Rawalpindi and Lahore divisions to plan and implement a complete plan for uninterrupted provide of petroleum merchandise in view of the present lockdown state of affairs.
While Ogra actively engages with the district administration, the ministry requested commissioners to concern fast vital directions to the folks involved within the district administration to plan and implement a complete plan to sort out the state of affairs and guarantee uninterrupted provide of crude oil to ARL and POL merchandise throughout the affected cities.
Earlier, the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) had requested the Punjab administration and law-enforcement companies (LEAs) to offer the oil tankers lorries with secure routes for transportation of gas in these areas to keep away from any gas scarcity.
In its letter to the Punjab chief secretary and inspector generals of police (IGPs) of Islamabad and Punjab, the OCAC mentioned the state of affairs had deteriorated considerably over the previous two days, with the highways’ closures severely delaying gas transportation and posing a severe threat of inventory depletion.
