Supply of petrol at filling stations improves

Rawalpindi
With improved supply of petrol at filling stations of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the life started to become normal to some extent on Thursday. On the other hand, with supply of fuel getting better, public transport also returned to the city roads alleviating miseries of commuters.
Reliable sources in the Pakistan State Oil (PSO), while talking to this scribe, said “The PSO is cash-strapped. The state institutions owe Rs222 billion to PSO. PSO has defaulted oil LCs worth Rs48 billion. The increase in oil demand coupled with decline in oil supply by oil marketing companies has led to the shortage of oil.”
According to the Ministry of Finance sources, the government has issued at least Rs17.5 billion to the PSO on emergency basis to control petrol shortage. Moreover, the PSO administration had asked the government to provide at least Rs80 billion on immediate basis to continue petrol supply in February and March.
Sources said that the circular debt of power sector and other government departments stands at around Rs215 billion. The government is likely to provide more funds to the PSO in the coming days, sources added.
Pakistan State Oil (PSO) Corporate Planning and Communication Department senior officer Ahmed Hasan said that shortage of petrol was temporary and the situation would continuously improve in coming days. He said that due to decrease in the prices of petroleum products, its demand has increased from January 1, adding that the monthly supply had reached 15,000 metric ton from 10,000 metric ton.
He further said that increase in the sale of petrol was witnessed after significant reduction in its price due to which PSO was facing temporary shortage in the existing fuel stock. “Also, two oil refineries are not working in Punjab for a week and their production has stopped,” he stated.
He said that additional supply is being arranged from Karachi to Lahore and Attock Oil Refinery has also extended its support, ensuring smooth flow of petroleum products. He expressed the hope that immediate steps would improve the supply situation of petrol within coming days and onwards there will be no complaint of petrol shortage in the country. “A shipment of oil would reach the country on January 24 and another on 29, 2015,” he claimed.
Muttahidda Transport Welfare Association General Secretary Raja Ikhlaq said that they faced too much loss due to petrol shortage. “The government should investigate the matter and punish the responsible people,” he demanded.
All Pakistan Traders Association (APTA) Chairman Shaikh Muhammad Saddique condemned government policies. “Public faced worst situation due to wrong planning of the government,” he added.