Punjab ACE identifies 495 illegal petrol pumps

Most filling stations lack safety measures, thus endangering lives of citizens

LAHORE:

The Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has identified and prepared a list of 495 illegal petrol pumps across the province including in Lahore where sale and purchase of smuggled and adulterated petroleum products continues.

However, most of these filling stations do not have safety measures which endangered the lives of millions of people.

Reportedly, the anti-corruption department has initiated action against these petrol pumps. On the direction of Punjab ACE DG Muhammad Gohar Nafees, the department prepared a list of these 495 illegal petrol pumps.

Most of the filling stations are found selling smuggled fuel mixed with kerosene in diesel. The anti-corruption department has sealed more than 150 petrol pumps. As per the details, ACE has taken action against the smugglers of illegal petrol pumps while the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and Punjab Explosives Department were unaware of this lawlessness.

Most of the petrol pumps were located near schools, colleges and hospitals which put millions of lives at risk.

As per the report, so far, ACE completed checking of 202 out of 495 illegal petrol pumps across Punjab and sealed 154 while proceedings against the rest are ongoing. These petrol pumps had no contract with oil marketing companies and they do not have Form K.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2020.