Strike ends: Petrol to keep flowing for now
The government assures to meet the demands of drivers and tanker owners. Photo: Reuters
(Web Desk) - While the deadlock between the All Pakistan Oil Tanker Owners Association (APOTA) and the government came to a halt on the third day of the strike, the question whether the government will succumb to their demands or enforce implementation of safety rules remains.
The oil tankers association was protesting against the ‘corruption’ of police forces and the government’s announcement to enforce safety procedures following a deadly oil tanker accident last month, where around 200 people died due to a fuel tanker explosion. However, government officials insisted on imposing safety regulations following the tragic accident saying that most oil tankers are not fit for functioning and impose a threat to public safety on the roads.
On June 25, a fuel tanker rolled over on the road in Punjab causing a leakage and as people rushed to the site to collect the fuel, an explosion took place hundreds of lives.
As reported by Dunya News, the authorities have assured to resolve the matter in 15 days and a negotiation between the two parties is set to take place. Following the initial negotiations, oil supply is expected to be restored in 10 to 12 hours as tankers will start moving following the directives of the representatives.
Major cities across the country have been facing a shortage of fuel, with vehicle owners waiting in long queues at petrol stations causing severe traffic jams. The issue created a panic across the country with it being widely reported across national media.
Amid the chaos, the Railways Minister, Saad Rafique offered to provide transport services to the petroleum industry to continue the supply of petroleum products in all provinces. Saad Rafique contacted the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on telephone, and reportedly stated that the strike culture could not be supported.
— Khawaja Saad Rafique (@KhSaad_Rafique) July 25, 2017
He added that Pakistan Railway will charge reasonable fares and had enough engines and cargo bogies for this purpose.
The country has oil stock reserves for at least 10 to11 days but most petrol stations closed down after 2 days due to increased consumption and demand, creating a state of chaos and disruption.
The situation emerged after oil tanker owners refused to get oil tankers checked or pay taxes and outright rejected the National Highway Authority (NHA) safety ordinance. Vice Chairman All Pakistan Tankers Association, Shamas Shiwani, told Reuters the motorway, traffic and excise police always demanded bribes so a, “Tanker driver has to pay so much in extortion that he hardly manages to keep his clothes”.
However, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) said they will not let the oil tanker mafia blackmail them. Imran Ghazanvi, spokesperson for OGRA, said the regulator suspected oil marketing companies were backing the strike and would "expose" the firms.
