ISLAMABAD: A strict crackdown against hoarders of petroleum products has been ordered by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Provincial governments were directed to take firm legal action against those involved in creating artificial shortages.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting on petroleum supplies chaired by the prime minister. Officials from the Ministry of Petroleum briefed participants on current reserves in light of the evolving regional situation.
It was stated during the briefing that adequate stocks of petroleum products are available in the country to meet national requirements.
Provincial authorities were instructed to initiate strict legal action against hoarders. Petrol pumps found involved in creating artificial shortages were ordered to be immediately sealed. Licenses of such outlets were directed to be cancelled and legal proceedings initiated.
The petroleum minister was instructed to visit the provinces and coordinate with provincial governments. A strategy was directed to be developed to ensure conservation of petroleum products and their uninterrupted supply to the public.
The creation of a monitoring dashboard for the movement of petroleum products was also ordered. Real-time data sharing with provinces will be ensured through the system to monitor transportation and distribution.
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The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmad, federal ministers and senior officials from the provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
