Authorities crackdown on decanting in Pindi

Seal over 20 shops, agencies for selling low-quality cylinders

RAWALPINDI:

Authorities have started taking action against illegal cylinder agencies as five cases of cylinder explosion took place on March 12 and March 13 in Rawalpindi.

On Saturday, the Social Defense Department sealed 21 shops and agencies for filling gas cylinders and selling illegal petrol. They also sealed three big shops and 28 factories for not installing fire extinguishers.

Action was taken on the orders issued by Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema on Saturday.

The order was issued after five fire cases of cylinder explosions took place in only two days.

As per the order, the shops, workshops, factories and agencies will be sealed and an FIR will be registered against them if they fail to adhere to the order.

District Officer Civil Defense Talib Hussain confirmed with The Express Tribune that they have formed five teams to carry out operation under the supervision of senior instructors Sadaf Zahoor, Nasir Kayani and Halima Sadia. The operation will continue till Eidul Fitr.

“From Monday (tomorrow), we are going to start this operation at night and the operation will continue till early morning. Substandard fire extinguishers will also not be acceptable. Challans will be issued and heavy fines will be imposed on shops for negligence. Shops and agencies selling illegal petrol and filling gas cylinders would be sealed permanently. Cases against the shop owners will be registered and their equipment will also be seized.