PM takes notice of fuel shortage, suspends Sec. Petroleum, MD PSO, others

LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has taken notice of the acute fuel shortage being faced in Punjab and has ordered the suspension of 4 officials including Secretary Petroleum, Additional Secretary Petroleum as well as the MD PSO Ahmed Janjua.

Punjab has been facing an acute fuel shortage for the last 5 days, with the Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi stating earlier on Saturday that it could take another week before the issue is resolved.

Consumers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are forced to stand in long queues at the few scarce fuel stations that are open for business, while in Lahore consumers have been running from pillar to post in search of fuel for their vehicles as 95% of fuel stations remain closed.

Dire Straits

Fuel stations that are open for business are forced to ration their supplies and present chaotic scenes with consumers fighting among themselves for the limited fuel that they can procure. Each motorcycle is allowed to purchase fuel for up to Rs. 100 and for four-wheelers up to Rs. 500 worth of fuel may be purchased.