The country’s inflation crisis has been made worse by a manufactured gasoline shortage in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Several gas stations have been without supplies of gasoline and fuel for the past two days. In a successive event, authorities have warned the gas stations to refrain from artificial fuel shortage
Owners of gas stations only sold petrol priced at Rs. 250 for motorcycles and Rs. 500 for cars. When an increase in fuel prices is announced, dealers and pump owners intentionally create a shortage in order to enhance their profits. 60% of the pumps aren’t supplying fuel during the day, and that number rises to 80% after midnight. Dealers and owners are waiting till midnight for the government to declare a fuel price increase.
Rawalpindi’s Deputy Commissioner, Shoaib Ali, has instructed assistant commissioners to take urgent action against gas stations that aren’t providing fuel in response to the fuel crisis. The government has failed to stop the manufactured petrol crisis in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and across the nation despite prior penalties, notices, and applications for FIRs against Oil Marketing Companies. There is speculation that the government will raise fuel prices by Rs20 to Rs30 per liter, leading to over 60 per cent of dealers and pump owners halting supply for two days to increase profits.
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Despite having tanks full of fuel, they have ceased providing it.
The News was informed by Assistant Commissioner Syed Asad Abbas that the DC has ordered stern action against gas station owners for creating a false shortage of fuel for two days. The AC has started taking action, shutting pumps and registering false reports (FIRs) against them. Residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have reported a lack of fuel at several petrol pumps for two days, with long lines of motorists observed at Pakistan State Oil (PSO) pumps while other pumps were not providing fuel.
Numerous gas stations, including those on Tipu Road, Murree Road, Jhanda Chichi, Kutcherry Chowk, Adiala Road, Pirwadhai, Mall Road Saddar, Rawal Road, Jhelum Road, and others were all reported to be out of fuel. The city’s traffic was backed up throughout due to the lengthy traffic jams at the gas stations.
Under the condition of anonymity, gas station managers confirmed that the supply of fuel had been cut off, with some blaming unidentified causes for the scarcity. They issued a warning that future severe fuel shortages might affect drivers if the supply did not restart. Taxi drivers were particularly impacted by the crisis and strongly criticised the government for failing to supply the people with basic amenities because they rely on daily income to sustain their families.
