Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar Thursday said the government could not increase the prices of petroleum products to facilitate a ‘few groups,’ who wanted to get the rates raised by Rs 9 per liter in the guise of strike.
The minister made it clear that the government would not bow before these groups, saying “only justified demands will be accepted.”
He said a summary had already been sent to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) for a reasonable increase in profit margin of petroleum dealers, which would be decided in its next meeting.
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Hammad said the government was fully aware of the problems of petrol pumps’ owners, but creating problems for the public was inappropriate.
He urged the petrol pumps owners to review their decision and operate their outlets as per routine, realizing the hardships being faced by the masses.
Strict action
Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on Wednesday took a serious notice of the ‘people/entities’ who were making attempts to disrupt the fuel supply chain at petrol pumps in the pretext of their demand to increase dealers’ profit margin.
OGRA has taken serious notice of entities striving to disrupt oil supples at petrol pumps.#OGRA #Pakistan #Petrol pic.twitter.com/PBlsCp5maO
— Zahid Khawaja🌎 (@khawajaNNInews) November 24, 2021
“All Oil Marketing Companies have been advised to ensure uninterrupted oil supplies at the retail outlets as OGRA enforcement teams are in field to ensure the same,” OGRA spokesman Imran Ghaznavi said in a press note.
He warned that whosoever found involved in oil disruptions causing public inconvenience “shall be dealt strictly in accordance with OGRA laws.”
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The spokesman advised the public not to worry about fuel supply as the authority was fully aware of its responsibility. “Our enforcement teams are in field day and night, and will ensure no disruption in fuel supply chain.”
APP with additional input by GVS News Desk