LAHORE – On behalf of the Ministry of Petroleum, a counsel told the Lahore High Court that till December, the demand for petrol in the province was 12,290 metric tonnes per day but it miraculously increased to more than 40,000 metric tonnes with the advent of the New Year due to its cheaper rates, and the sudden increase in demand caused a shortage of petrol.
He said now petrol was available in the province and anyone could get it without any hassle. However, the Lahore High Court (LHC) observed that the government was not showing seriousness in ending the petrol crisis which hit the Punjab a week ago. It directed the secretary petroleum and responsible officials of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority to submit a detailed report about the difference in supply and demand of petrol.
Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah was hearing two petitions challenging the shortage of petrol in the province. He remarked where that petrol was as the people were still in queues in search of petrol. He asked where that petrol was kept. The judge asked him if the government was in the know that a decrease in petrol prices would increase its demand and why it did not have a sufficient stock.
