Empty pockets on fuel, food in Lahore
Protests cause disruption in supply chain, situation expected to normalise
Motorcyclists line up at a petrol station. PHOTO: ABID NAWAZ/EXPRESS
LAHORE:
Fuel became a scarce commodity as locals queued up at petrol pumps due to a disruption in the supply chain caused by province-wide demonstrations. Pumps which had fuel available in the provincial capital were the scenes of large queues.
The situation, however, was expected to improve by Monday night as fuel tankers were expected to resume supply to the metropolis.
Many fuel stations in the city were closed for business, while long queues were observed at those where the commodity was available. Commuters faced difficulties in acquiring fuel on Monday as the entry and exit points of the city remained blocked due to province-wide protests by religious groups who were demanding the resignation of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
Samiullah, a motorcyclist, said he faced difficulties in getting fuel as many pumps were closed. He said that he had to wait for over an hour to get just a few liters of petrol. “The government should have made arrangements if they could not remove the road blockades.”
Rangers called out in Lahore to quell protests sparked by Islamabad operation
Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association Information Secretary Chaudhry Shahzad told The Express Tribune that the shortage occurred because of the protests. He, however, was of the view that there was also a decline in demand as people avoided heading onto the roads over the past few days. He said that the government had now allowed tankers to resume their operations and the shortage would soon end. “Fuel will be available everywhere by midnight as tankers have started coming in.”
Shortage, price hike of fresh food
Moreover, prices of fruits and vegetables also saw a spike because of a disruption in the supply chain to the city. A hike of around 20% was observed in different markets of Lahore. Shoppers also complained of the increased prices.
Ishtiaq Ali, a resident of Township, said the increase was unjustified and remained of the opinion that the government should have controlled the inflated rates of everyday food items.
“The common man is the only victim in every situation. During these protests, the lack of planning and disregard for citizens created this artificial scarcity,” he added.
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube to remain blocked until law and order situation improves: PTA
However, similar to the shortage of fuel, the prices of fruits and vegetables were also expected to normalise in the city.
Punjab Goods Transport Association General Secretary Javed Malik said that traders suffered losses of billions because of the blockage.
He said that prices of all those goods, including vegetables and fruits, had increased due to the scarcity.
“Our goods remained stranded for two days and only some of the transport has resumed plying just today,” he concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2017.
Fuel became a scarce commodity as locals queued up at petrol pumps due to a disruption in the supply chain caused by province-wide demonstrations. Pumps which had fuel available in the provincial capital were the scenes of large queues.
The situation, however, was expected to improve by Monday night as fuel tankers were expected to resume supply to the metropolis.
Many fuel stations in the city were closed for business, while long queues were observed at those where the commodity was available. Commuters faced difficulties in acquiring fuel on Monday as the entry and exit points of the city remained blocked due to province-wide protests by religious groups who were demanding the resignation of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
Samiullah, a motorcyclist, said he faced difficulties in getting fuel as many pumps were closed. He said that he had to wait for over an hour to get just a few liters of petrol. “The government should have made arrangements if they could not remove the road blockades.”
Rangers called out in Lahore to quell protests sparked by Islamabad operation
Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association Information Secretary Chaudhry Shahzad told The Express Tribune that the shortage occurred because of the protests. He, however, was of the view that there was also a decline in demand as people avoided heading onto the roads over the past few days. He said that the government had now allowed tankers to resume their operations and the shortage would soon end. “Fuel will be available everywhere by midnight as tankers have started coming in.”
Shortage, price hike of fresh food
Moreover, prices of fruits and vegetables also saw a spike because of a disruption in the supply chain to the city. A hike of around 20% was observed in different markets of Lahore. Shoppers also complained of the increased prices.
Ishtiaq Ali, a resident of Township, said the increase was unjustified and remained of the opinion that the government should have controlled the inflated rates of everyday food items.
“The common man is the only victim in every situation. During these protests, the lack of planning and disregard for citizens created this artificial scarcity,” he added.
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube to remain blocked until law and order situation improves: PTA
However, similar to the shortage of fuel, the prices of fruits and vegetables were also expected to normalise in the city.
Punjab Goods Transport Association General Secretary Javed Malik said that traders suffered losses of billions because of the blockage.
He said that prices of all those goods, including vegetables and fruits, had increased due to the scarcity.
“Our goods remained stranded for two days and only some of the transport has resumed plying just today,” he concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2017.