The Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) is yet to take any decision on a complaint filed by Honda Atlas Cars to Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) regarding concentration of manganese in fuel. On November 2, 2017, Honda Motor Co's Pakistan subsidiary, Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited, filed the complaint, saying the additive appeared to be damaging engines in its vehicles. Petroleum Division constituted a committee, headed by secretary petroleum, to investigate the complaint that some fuel suppliers added manganese into their gasoline. But the committee has yet to reach any conclusion.
Earlier, OGRA finalized the report on the complaint filed by Honda Atlas Cars regarding concentration of manganese in fuel. Honda Atlas Cars filed the complaint with OGRA regarding high concentration of manganese being added to fuel sold at petrol pumps. Samples taken from units of Pakistan State Oil, Shell Petroleum and Total show 54mg of manganese was added per kilogram of fuel to enhance the quality of cheap fuel, according to the complaint.
Highly placed sources said the primary concern of Honda is not limited to the fact that these quantities are hazardous for engines of vehicles. The matter is more dangerous as Honda has received complaints from its customers that Honda Cars' engines are catching fire and the contaminated fuel may be causing such incidents.
In April 2017, the OGRA launched a drive against adulterated petroleum products, but no action has been taken since then. The Petroleum Ministry has failed to implement its 'fuel-marking' program approved in June 2017 aimed at putting a halt to the practice of adding kerosene oil to fuel.
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