ADabba petrol

Today everywhere, especially in Karachi, the hub of all the trading activities, floods of cars are seen on the roads all the time. In today's world transportation, whether It is car or cab, bus or truck, rickshaw or motorcycle, has become an essential need but sadly due to rise in inflation and reduction in the purchasing power, people are forced to opt for cheaper ways to satisfy their transportation needs and one such way is "Dabba petrol" which is a recent menace.
As the name implies, Dabba petrol is inferior in quality which comes from Iran and is smuggled to Balochistan from where it is dispatched to various cities of Pakistan. It is openly sold in the slum areas of Karachi, namely Liyari, Keamari, Sabzi Mandi, Korangi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal etc. Consumers are attracted to Dabba petrol without even realising its hazardous effects on their health, society, vehicles and on their pockets in the long run.
On registered petrol pumps, branded petrol is available at Rs 57.66 whereas at Dabba station petrol is available at Rs 40.47. Dabba stations refer to the unregistered shops found along the roadside selling smuggled petrol and diesel openly. This offence has not yet been taken notice of and it is rumoured that some government officials are found facilitating the smuggling and selling of low quality petrol and diesel against heavy bribes.
Lately Dabba petrol has been witnessed to be smuggled through big buses crammed with passengers inside and carrying overflowing drums of low quality petrol on their tops risking the lives of innocent travellers. Not only that, this petrol is being sold in small congested residential areas. This is extremely dangerous for the residents in the neighbourhood. It is also the cause of diseases like asthma and lung cancer.
Dabba petrol has its adverse effects on the car's engines as well. As this petrol is of low quality it erodes engine's efficiency resulting in intermittent drive, accumulation of dust in the engine, decrease in mileage, inability to reach the destination due to insufficient quantity. Moreover, Dabba petrol is affecting the tax revenue of the government. Dabba stations don't pay any tax to the government.
Due to easy accessibility and cheap rates of dabba petrol sales of branded petrol are declining. This is resulting in reduction in the amount of taxes paid by the petrol pumps to the government. An immediate halt to the consumption and distribution of this illegal low quality hazardous fuel is desperately required. Government should take strict actions against the traders of this illicit business.