ISLAMABAD - Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday said prevailing petrol situation would start improving within a couple of days, while its complete shortage would end by January 25.
Talking to a news channel, he said the temporary shortage in some areas of Punjab was due to a sudden increase in petroleum demand following substantial reduction in its price. The minister informed that the petrol demand has increased up to 25 percent in last two weeks in Punjab and the government was making efforts to arrange the additional fuel to meet the growing demand.
He brushed aside the impression that the shortage was the result of any problem regarding supply of petrol, adding that other petroleum products were available in abundance at fuel stations and “there is a little shortage of petrol.”
Shahid Kahqan Abbasi urged the media to play its responsible role while reporting facts and figures about any event. Replying to a question about black marketing of petrol, he said the ministry as well as respective local administrations would take stern action against those found involved in creating artificial shortage to mint extra money from consumers.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) said on Thursday that shortage of petrol is temporary and within two days the situation will improve.
Talking to APP, she said that due to decrease in the prices of petroleum products, its demand has increased from January 1, adding that monthly supply had reached 15000MT from 10,000 MT. She further said that increase in the sale of petrol was witnessed after significant reduction in its price due to which, PSO is facing short lived shortage in the existing fuel stock. “While in Punjab two oil refineries are not working for the last week and their production has stopped”, she stated. The PSO spokesperson said that effective arrangements are being made for uninterrupted supply of petroleum products. She said that additional supply is being arranged from Karachi to Lahore and Attock Oil Refinery has also extended its support, ensuring smooth flow of petroleum products. She expressed the hope that immediate steps would improve the supply situation of petrol within two days and from Saturday onward there will be no complaint of petrol shortage.