ISLAMABAD : Jan 28,2023: In the backdrop of unprecedented increase in US dollar value and the news of big upward revision in the rates from February 1, 2023 , Petroleum products’ shortage have hit across Pakistan.
The owners of the petrol pumps have either stopped selling petroleum products or they are catering to a very small number of the commuters after the reports of big increase in petroleum products prices for next fortnight starting from Feb 1,2033.
In almost every city , petrol pumps have shut down their sale of petroleum products . In twin cities of Islamabad /Rawalpindi all petrol pumps other than PSO owned have stopped selling petroleum products and the authorities concerned of the petroleum ministry and local district administration are totally indifferent to the situation.
Some media reports suggested that a major jump in petroleum product prices was on the cards from January 31 in the backdrop of continuing depreciation of the rupee. The reports of massive increase in petroleum product prices do carry substantial weightage as it’s a long outstanding demand of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the government seems inclined to accept all pre- conditions of the fund including passing on of the actual prices of petroleum products to the commuters and at the same time collect taxes from.sale of petroleum products to meet its revenue target for 2022-23 to get restored the fund’s loan facility..
Shortage of petroleum products is not a new phenomenon for Pakistan.Rather, its a cycle . After every two to three years , oil mafia plays the same dirty game and cuts supply to the petroleum products to sell their stocks at higher rates and make windfall gain.
Since the government lacks a check and balance system each time profiteers go Scott free and they strike again when the similar situation emerges in the country.
The poor governance and vested interests always stop the government functionaries from taking any punitive action against hoarders of petroleum products .
” I m standing for hours at the station to get fuel, but due to a KM long queue I m yet to get it”, Mir Ali Shah , a resident of PWD , Islamabad said who had lined up in his Suzuki car at a local petrol pump on Saturday evening.
In I-8 Markaz , Shell petrol pump is closed for the last two days and there is no department to check it even in the heart of the federal capital .
