Pursuant to the warning issued by Petroleum Minister Dr Musadik Malik, the Punjab police initiated a crackdown against individuals engaged in the illicit stockpiling of petrol and diesel in several areas of the province, including Sheikhupura, Patoki, and Daska.
The Inspector General of Punjab issued directives for strict enforcement against such practices and instructed that decisive action be taken against those found to be responsible.
In accordance with the directives, police teams conducted raids on multiple fuel stations in Sheikhupura and Patoki, resulting in the recovery of over 1.3 million litres of petrol that had been illegally stockpiled by mafias. The contraband was found stored in underground tanks in warehouses, and over a dozen containers filled with gasoline were also seized.
The District Police Officer, Zahid Marwat, reported that the value of the recovered gasoline exceeds 300 million rupees. He further stated that appropriate legal action, including the filing of charges, will be taken against those found to be responsible for the hoarding of fuel.
On Wednesday, Minister of State for Petroleum, Musadik Malik, dispelled all rumors of a shortage of petroleum products in the country.
According to ARY News, during a press conference held in Islamabad, the state minister stated that Pakistan has an ample supply of both diesel and gasoline. He issued a warning to those engaged in hoarding, stating that the government will revoke licenses for those found to be artificially creating a shortage of these products.
The minister also sought to dispel any notion that the government is responsible for increasing the prices of petroleum products.
