further said that the high-ups in petroleum ministry and PSO were well informed and knew about the impending crisis but they kept their eyes closed. There are many factors behind this crisis including lack of planning of proper supply and distribution, corruption and mismanagement.
“The authorities in the petroleum ministry and PSO were timely informed that Pak Arab Oil Refinery (PARCO) would remain shut down for five to six days in January. However despite knowing well ahead of time they did not make alternative arrangements,” observed the source.
Similarly, increase in the demand is not a new phenomenon; it has been increasing over the years. The concerned authorities know in which part of the year the petrol demand increases but even then they could not prepare themselves in time, he said.
“The PSO knows which of its 29 oil depots across the country face increase in consumption and it could have avoided this crisis through additional supplies by cutting the share of less consuming depots. Another reason that contributed to this crisis is the delayed shipment of the petroleum products despite timely firm orders, the source said adding that because of the faulty agreement with PNSC the PSO already had to bear the loss of billions of rupees and a case in this regard has been registered in the Sindh High Court.
The use of poorly maintained and and old ships the import of petroleum products is always delayed despite timely firm orders, he commented. Although the petroleum ministry has shifted the responsibility of this crisis to other ministries the whole responsibility lies with the petroleum ministry as it is directly involved in the crisis. It was the task of petroleum ministry to recover its outstanding amount from the IPPs, he commented.
Similarly the board of management of PSO is also responsible of the whole crisis, as it took no action despite knowing the situation. Despite tall claims of the government of appointing credible and highly professional people in the board of management of the public sector companies, their performance is pathetic.