*Motorists flock gas stations to get adequate fuel, fearing shut down of stations ahead of PTI’s ‘Azadi’ march
*Several pumps in Pindi closed after running out of stock
*Govt says it has taken steps to ensure smooth fuel supply across country
With speculation rife that supply of petrol at fuel stations will be stopped on the eve of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s ‘Azadi’ march, motorists rushed to get fuel tanks filled on Saturday and long queues were witnessed in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Such long lanes have not been seen at petrol pumps before and were only a common scene at the CNG stations in the past.
Vehicle owners started rushing to the petrol pumps on Thursday evening and this mad rush continued on Friday and Saturday.
Though petrol was available at most of the stations in Islamabad, the situation was different in Rawalpindi city where several owners shut their stations displaying notice that they have run out of supply. At some places in Rawalpindi, petrol is being black marketed through supplies in bottles and canisters to earn more from the needy bikers and car owners.
Some drivers reportedly said that Islamabad administration has issued notice to the petrol pumps not to supply fuel in canister or bottles and only sell it by filling fuel tanks, adding that such notices were also displayed at the filling stations.
On the other hand, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has dispelled all rumours regarding shortage or suspension of petrol supplies to the fuel stations.
The ministry said the government has taken a number of steps to ensure smooth fuel supply across the country.
However, the situation at the petrol stations shows the opposite. Some of the owners said that they are having routine supplies but the rush by the motorists to get their tanks full of petrol has caused the shortage. They said the motorists are keen to have enough reserve to meet their requirements on August 14 and 15 when they fear that the filling stations will be shut for security reasons.
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