MUZAFFARGARH: The petrol pump owners closed their premises claiming shortage of the fuel as soon as it was reported that prices of petroleum oil products had been decreased.

The district administration found out about the closures on Monday afternoon when people complained about the shortage of petrol.

On the other hand, illegal petrol agencies, who had set up mini pumps in shops and houses, continued to sell the fuel at previous rates.

On Sunday midnight, the federal government announced a decrease in prices of POL products.

Dawn learnt that in Kot Addu tehsil and Muzaffargarh, many petrol pumps were closed and displayed notices outside stating that no petrol was available here.

A petrol station owner said that many pumps were smuggling petrol from Iran at low rates and could afford to sell it on current price, while he had a contract with a multinational company and can only buy through it.

He added that they had some stock available, however they will wait for a day or two to buy petrol on the new rates and will reopen his pump.

The district administration said that all assistant commissioners will check petrol pumps on Tuesday and if any of them were found closed, they will take action through heavy fines.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2020