Fuel crisis: OGRA imposes fine worth Rs40 million on six OMCs

(Karachi) In wake of the shortage of petroleum products in country, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has imposed fine worth Rs40 million on six Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for not maintaining the required fuel stocks as per terms and conditions of the licences awarded to them.

In a statement, OGRA Spokesman Imran Ghaznavi said that fine of Rs5 million each has been imposed on Attock Petroleum Limited, Puma, Gas & Oil Pakistan Limited and Hascol, and Rs10 million each on Shell Pakistan and Total Parco Pakistan Limited.

He said all oil marketing companies have been directed to ensure regular supply of petroleum products to their retail outlets, otherwise fine would be imposed on them as per the law.

In recent days, an unexpected fuel crisis was reported in the country as most fuel stations were closed due to the limited supply of petroleum products adding to the miseries of people.

Petrol pump owners said that they have been facing a shortage of fuel supply for the past many days, despite their repeated requests to suppliers. This shortage emerged as soon as the intercity and intracity public transport was allowed to ply after many weeks of a near lockdown situation.

Prime Minister Imran Khan took notice of the fuel crisis and ordered immediate inquiry into the matter. He said those involved in creating artificial shortage of petroleum products will be taken to task.