Petrol pumps may begin shutting down within days if fuel supply is not restored, leaders of the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) warned on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference at the Lahore Press Club, PPDA Central Secretary General Chaudhry Irfan Elahi said petroleum companies had reduced fuel deliveries to petrol stations. He said diesel supply had dropped to about 20 percent, while petrol supply had also declined significantly.
PPDA Central Punjab President Nauman Majeed said petrol supply had been reduced by around 50 percent. He alleged that some private companies had begun hoarding petroleum products. Lahore President Jehanzaib Malik urged the government to ensure adequate fuel supply to petrol pumps.
He said oil marketing companies had stopped supplying petroleum products. Malik also criticised inspections being conducted at petrol stations instead of supply depots. He said dealers did not want the public to face difficulties due to fuel shortages.
Referring to the regional situation, he said the situation had worsened due to the war and called on the government to take stakeholders into confidence. Malik warned that petrol pumps could begin shutting down from Monday if fuel supply is not restored. He also alleged that companies had halted supply to push for an increase in fuel prices.