ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum Omar Ayub on Thursday said that supply of petroleum products would improve in the next three days and the crisis will be resolved.
The federal minister was speaking to media outside the Peshawar High Court in a case related to the petroleum shortage in the country. He said the government has initiated action against those stocking petroleum leading to an artificial shortage.
He said that action will be taken against hoarders and that reserves were conducted during which petrol reserves were recovered and cases have been registered against the culprits.
He alleged that ‘petrol mafia’ is not allowing people to gain relief from the reduced petroleum prices, adding that the petrol demand has surged by 30 percent.
The Peshawar High Court held a hearing on a notice pertaining to petrol and wheat crisis in the country. Omar Ayub also presented before the court where Justice Qaiser Rashid asked about the government measures to mitigate the crisis.
The judge said that the petrol pumps are not implementing the SOPs and meetings are being held to discuss the situation. The PHC judge told the federal minister he was summoned so that the public can be given an explanation regarding the situation.
The minister told the court that the petrol companies have formed a ‘mafia’ and creating the shortage. The court ordered the federal minister to control the situation as soon as possible.
During a meeting of the federal cabinet on Tuesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had ordered maximum punitive action against those responsible for the artificial petrol shortage.
The prime minister had directed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and Petroleum Division to take necessary action to ensure regular supply within two to three days.
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