LAHORE: The petrol became rare after the CNG as shortage of petrol has entered fourth day due to the crisis of PSO which has 70 percent share of the oil market.
Commuters complained that present government had given first relief to public by declining the oil prices but was not available after cut in price to public. They said that CNG was introduced as the substitute of the costly petrol that was even not available for consumers. They demanded government should tackle the situation on emergency basis. They said that users have to wait for long in queue to get petrol.
On the other hand, transporters said that petrol was being sold at high prices than the official prices in black market. They said that due to black marketing of the petrol, transporters have to increase the fare.
Talking to Customs Today, FBR officials said that squeezed situation could hit the revenue generations as the petroleum sector was large taxpayer. They said that department was also facing difficulties to meet the set target due to heavy cut in oil prices.
Punjab was facing severe shortage of the petrol but PSO has no revenue to purchase oil. The PSO has asked for Rs 72 billion to government that has not been provided yet and PSO has cancelled the tenders regarding the purchase of oil.
It is important to mention that there are 280 filling stations only in Lahore and at least 119 stations are owned by the PSO while rests are privately owned. Lahore’s daily consumption of petrol is 2.5 million litres whereas the current supply to the city stands at 400,000 litres.
