Long queues of motorcycles, cars and wagons were seen at every petrol pump of the city on Saturday, as fuel sales were stopped because of an increase in prices. The federal government increased fuel prices by six to 10 percent and the new prices would be applicable from today (Sunday), therefore, a majority of the people opted for filling their fuel tanks and save a few rupees. Like the previous month, certain petrol pumps of the city stopped sales of fuel while petrol pump managers said that their stocks had ended while some fuel stations also gave an excuse of load shedding. Motorcyclists and motorists had to wait for a long time to get fuel.
“I have been standing in the queue for the last 15 minutes,” Motorcyclist Javed Latif said adding that he would fill the tank, as in this way he could save something. Some petrol pumps at Model Town Link Road, Garden Town, Peco Road, Mughalpura, Dharampura and others stopped sales. “There is no electricity and our generator is not working,” a fuel station manager at Maulana Shaukat Ali Road said. Sales of petrol pumps do not stop during load shedding, as almost all stations have generators but this time load shedding was a major excuse. “In normal routine, I have seen many fuel stations operating during load shedding but on Saturday, the pumps were not operating,” Motorist Farooq Ali said.
Ali said that he visited three stations and finally managed to get fuel from one. “I had to wait 20 minutes for getting petrol,” he added. Petrol pump owners said that a large number of vehicles came for filling and it ended their stocks. “We have not stopped sales rather our stocks have ended, as a majority of people wanted to get maximum petrol and diesel,” petrol pump owner Mujahid Jamshed at Peco Road said.
