PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: In wake of the recent petroleum shortage in Punjab, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday chaired a meeting to discuss matters pertaining to the crisis.
However, Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was unable to attend today's meeting as he departed for Qatar early this morning to hold talks with the Qatar government on 'key' issues.
Earlier on Wednesday, the prime minister cancelled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos to deal with the severe petrol shortage at home, officials and state media said Thursday.
State media said Nawaz Sharif cancelled the visit "in view of the prevailing domestic situation" and had convened a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review petrol supplies.
The fuel crisis began last week when Pakistan State Oil was forced to slash imports because banks refused to extend any more credit to the government-owned business, which supplies 80 percent of the country's oil.
The situation has eased slightly, but queues of vehicles were still seen at filling stations in Islamabad and other parts of the country, particularly Punjab.
A spokesman for Sharif confirmed to AFP in a short text message that the "Prime minister has cancelled his trip" to Davos.
A spokesperson for opposition leader Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) party has said it was planning nationwide protests over the petrol crisis.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif however, were both in attendance of the meeting.
Sources at the PM House said the meeting was set to review the demand and supply of petroleum in the country over the course of the next two months. The premier urged all concerned ministries to ensure seamless coordination to ensure a steady supply of petrol in all parts of the country.
Earlier, the prime minister held the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority responsible for the fuel shortages in the country.
RELATED: Petrol shortages: Amid gruelling crisis, PM suspends officials
On Thursday, the premier also directed the concerned departments to ensure that the general public be apprised of the supply situation through the media to dispel any impression of further shortages."Strict action would be taken against all those responsible for creating this hardship on the public," the PM was reported as saying.
The premier was scheduled to depart for Switzerland on Wednesday to attend the World Economic Forum. However, Nawaz had to postpone his visit due to the urgency of the petroleum crisis.
The petroleum ministry has also established a 'Situation Room' which will be functional 24 hours a day and will be monitoring the supply and sale of the Premier Motor Gasoline (PMG). The supply of PMG at various depots in the country will also be monitored.
RELATED: Burning issue: Brainstorming sessions called to douse petrol crisis
"The prime minister is continuously being updated on the demand and supply situation of fuel in the country going forward," a government source said.
COMMENTS (9)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
PMLn is doing good and will once again win big in 2018. And haters will keep crying
@pak47: Bro kashmir hurt you very badl, just look u self and u ppl
@pak47: I don't think PMLN will make it to 2018. The are the "most experienced" in shooting themselves in the foot - just look at their past record. They have never managed to complete a term in federal govt.
PTI and others have it all wrong, they don't need to do anything...just sit back and watch Mian sahib self-destruct....he will never disappoint us!
@pak47: Is this some kind of joke?
Awww, I'm disappointed that the PM had to cancel his trip to Davos. I was looking forward to his speech; "How to turn a supply chain problem into a nationwide crisis".
When there are economic issues there is criticism against a Minister visiting abroad but when there are security issues there is no criticism against a General when he visits abroad.
@Sohail Abbasi
This 'NALIK' government that you call inherited institutions facing billions of dollars of losses from PPP and Musharraf eras. Also not a single MW of electricity or project was made to keep up with the demand. Now sit tight and wait till 2018 wihen PML-N completes the first phase of Pak-China economic corridor.
Seriously am fed up with this NALAIK government they don't have a abilities to tackle anything please leave this country its enough now
Will he come back from Qatar......or ...is...he.....gone ?