February 2, 2006	Thursday	Muharram 3, 1427

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PESHAWAR, Feb 1: The All Pakistan Oil Tankers Association (Apota) has threatened to suspend the supply of petrol and diesel in the country within a fortnight if the government failed to arrest those responsible for last month’s killing of three tanker drivers.

The 15-day ultimatum was issued by Apota chairman Mir Mohammad Yousaf Shahwani at a press conference held here on Tuesday.

Mr Shahwani, accompanied by a number of oil tanker owners and association office bearers, said that on Dec 30 the tanker drivers had been killed by suspected terrorists who had been attempting to carry out an act of sabotage. The tanker drivers, however, foiled a major terrorist attack.

“In case the killers of tanker drivers are not arrested within 15 days, we will start a countrywide strike and block the Grand Trunk Road at the main junction and disrupt the traffic system across the country,” he said.

During his briefing the association’s chairman alleged that the PSO officials were involved in financial embezzlement and said that the National Accountability Bureau had been given solid proof of these malpractices.

Even though some time had passed, he said, the accountability bureau had failed to take action against the alleged officials.

In reply to a question, Mr Shahwani said that the NAB had failed to take action against the errant officials.