Petrol pump owners reject ‘mafia’ claims, call for action on fuel supply issues

The Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association, Inam-ul-Haq Chaudhry, has rejected allegations against petrol station owners, saying they are not a "mafia" but are trying to continue their businesses under extremely difficult conditions.

Speaking about ongoing fuel supply concerns, Chaudhry said petrol pump owners have no authority to arrange fuel supplies beyond what is provided by oil companies.

He said that if an oil company fails to supply fuel or reduces deliveries, petrol stations cannot meet public demand.

The association's vice chairman added that several petrol pumps which ran dry due to supply shortages were sealed, arguing that owners should not be blamed without considering the facts behind the situation.

Chaudhry urged government authorities to put pressure on oil companies to ensure timely fuel deliveries and prevent disruptions for consumers.

He maintained that petrol station operators are dependent on the supply chain and cannot independently resolve shortages caused by limited fuel availability.