ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain has directed all Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to ensure petrol supply on war footing so as to avert further petrol shortage in any part of the country.
He said this while meeting a delegation of Oil Retailers who operate 71 petrol pumps in Azad Kashmir region here Monday in Islamabad. Dr. Asim clarified that the shortage of petrol arose due do the breakdown of platformer unit of Attock Oil Refinery (ARL), no backup storage with small OMCs and the circular debt issue.
The Federal Minister said that directions have already been issued to all OMCs to supply their entire available petrol stocks to the retailers. ARL has been directed to repair their damaged platformer unit on urgent basis while as PSO, Shell and Cheveron have been directed to ensure that they operate their outlets at 100% capacity. Retailers involved in black-marketing practices would be dealt with very strictly and their pumps would be closed down. Those marketing companies who do not maintain stock for 20 days under law will be dealt strictly with accordance to law and if violations continue then their license will be revoked.
Federal Minister assured that supply of petrol would be normalized as soon as possible in all parts of the country. It will take about 5-7 days for smooth supply to be resumed. 35,000 metric tons oil is already under movement from Karachi to upcountry while as another consignment of 50,000 metric tons is arriving soon. Online
