Motorists throng filling stations to get cheaper fuel

Islamabad
Motorists and motorcyclists on Friday thronged filling stations to get fuel. The situation is likely to prevail today (Saturday), too, in light of the possible increase in the prices of petroleum products up to 15 per cent for the next month.
If media reports are anything to go by, then the petrol price is set to go up by 7.95 per cent to Rs75.88 per litre, that of High Octane Blending Component by 15.71 per cent to Rs92.93 per litre, and that of light diesel oil by 9.49 per cent to Rs63.44. Petroleum rates in the country have decreased by around 40 per cent over the last five months due to the steep decline in the international oil prices. Mindful of the possible increase in petrol price in the next 48 hours, people went to filling stations in large numbers all through Friday, especially at night, to fuel their automobiles and motorcycles.
Some claimed they had showed up to fuel up to avoid the ‘last-minute rush’ on the last day of the month when change in oil prices would effect. “There is so much uncertainty here that I’m here to get petrol at the lower price thinking maybe petrol will not sell tomorrow. If filling stations are open tomorrow, I will fuel up tomorrow, too, before petrol rate hikes. I need to avail myself of the relief in oil prices to the last minute,” said a motorist, Ashraf Khan.
Representatives of filling stations confirmed high sales of petroleum products, especially petrol, in the day and felt the situation would continue to exist during the next 24 hours.