E-Paper | October 02, 2026

Ogra responsible for petrol crisis, PM Nawaz told

Sohail Iqbal Bhatti Published
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired a meeting Tuesday during which he reviewed the petroleum situation in the country, and issued directives for structural changes in order to ensure that the current petroleum crisis situation does not arise again.

The two-member committee tasked to inquire into this matter presented their initial findings to PM Nawaz, informing him that the petrol shortage was a serious failure on the part of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) as a regulator.

The meeting endorsed the earlier decision of suspending four senior officials responsible for the crisis and decided that Deputy Managing Director of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) Mr Sohail Butt was also equally responsible and ordered his suspension as well.

Know more: Petrol crisis deepens, spills over to Karachi

At a press conference yesterday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had absolved himself of any direct or indirect responsibility for the petrol shortage and termed it “a conspiracy against the government”.

Take a look: Amid mounting criticism, petroleum minister apologises for fuel crisis

Meanwhile, Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had accepted responsibility for the crisis in a separate press conference yesterday and said he was ashamed on behalf of the government that the crisis had been allowed to continue.

Also read: Fuel crisis to last at least another week

Pakistan
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Muhammad
Jan 20, 2015 01:50pm
Everybody is responsible...but not NS himself and his ministers Abbasi and Dar and other frauds like Asif and Sher and so on and so forth... The inquiry should have said instead "why PSO was not paid, because power distribution companies were skimming money out of the system under the nose of this corrupt leadership of NS and his ministers."
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khanm
Jan 20, 2015 01:55pm
It is not Ogra, it is ogre responsible for petrol crisis...Just a blame game and trying to save ministers in his good book...Just playing a political game ...Politics is not a game in Pakistan....It is an earnest business.
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lalai
Jan 20, 2015 01:57pm
It is always worst to be the weakest link in a chain. You will have to share the lion's share of pressure in case of any crisis.
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Rizwan
Jan 20, 2015 01:59pm
ok but ,is OGRA not under government ?
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AdHawk
Jan 20, 2015 01:59pm
Why should the government get involved in the petrol distribution business in the first place? Why not allow private entities full rights to purchase and distribute on the open market, the profits from which could then be taxed? This is ECON 101.
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Shahid
Jan 20, 2015 02:01pm
How do you make OGRA, PSO or any bureaucrate's fault when every person in Pakistan knows that ISHAQ DAR did not release the money needed to purchase oil. PSO had already defaulted a dozen times on its LC because authorities don't pay them even a fraction of what is owed to PSO.
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jj
Jan 20, 2015 02:04pm
No gas, No electricity, No water, No petrol, No reserves, No jobs, No health care, No education, No justice, No infrastructure, No law and order, only two things that is driving our country corruption and terrorism.
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m h kayani
Jan 20, 2015 02:05pm
Your corrupt government is responsible for these dishonest action of holding petrol until the prices goes up.
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syed wasim haider
Jan 20, 2015 02:09pm
Please, again please appoint people on merit if u want to complete your full 5 yr. tenure even without Dharnas.
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nilor khan
Jan 20, 2015 02:09pm
No Mr. Prime Minister, You and your Ministers are responsible for all this mess.
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Saad
Jan 20, 2015 02:11pm
Why not appoint a chairman for OGRA then ?
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Sam
Jan 20, 2015 02:14pm
Mr. PM why don't you give your resignation instead of blaming others ???
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beiers
Jan 20, 2015 02:14pm
All of this is happening when world is enjoying perks of cheap crude oil prices i read in another article, Saudis want to sell oil for 40 dollars per barrel to Pakistan, Pakistan should double the imports of oil, as it was 130 dollars per barrel a few month and it wont stay on this level for a long time. Oil at current prices is cheaper then nestle water we buy in Pakistan. People of Pakistan, buy oil futures.
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Sam
Jan 20, 2015 02:17pm
Mr. PM why don't you give your own resignation instead of blaming others ???
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Ahmad
Jan 20, 2015 02:18pm
@jj I disagree. There is infrastructure development but in Lahore only. That is the Pakistan of PMLN.
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Azam Jamil
Jan 20, 2015 02:24pm
Does the law allow Suo Moto against incompetence?
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Sanwal
Jan 20, 2015 02:25pm
Why Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is not resigning even after accepting the responsibility. This is quite shameful culture.
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Taimur
Jan 20, 2015 02:40pm
What about the financial loss that incurred during this shortage? Who will take responsibility and who will compensate it? Why doesnt private companies of PM or Petroleum minister shut down teh same way they had shut down the country? What is the priority - private businesses or country? @beiers - at low prices there must be less margins for commission so they will wait till teh prices go high.
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Pakistani
Jan 20, 2015 02:41pm
Irony is even now Ishaq Dar does not realises that it is not a conspiracy but sheer incompetence and buffoonery.
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sameer
Jan 20, 2015 02:42pm
basically pin the blame on all hard working employees but do not blame Nawaz Sharifs relatives who are the real incompetent people.
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Parvez
Jan 20, 2015 02:48pm
This is funny....its like blaming Masi Museebat and Uncle Sargam.............but then our Prime Minister and his bunch of ministers are a shameless lot.
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A Pakistani
Jan 20, 2015 02:53pm
In fact, we are responsible for choosing a such a corrupt government.
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lafanga
Jan 20, 2015 03:07pm
Dawn. Why don't you send the result of your own poll to the govt where almost 92% of the voters blame the govt i.e. PM, Abbasi and Dar. Let them see what the people believe.
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salman
Jan 20, 2015 03:07pm
OGRA is without a full time chairman for 6 months. Who’s failure is it to not appoint the chairman? Nawaz sharif. What was he waiting for? One of his younger relatives to reach the age of 18?
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imranrahbar
Jan 20, 2015 03:10pm
thugs all of them
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Azam Jamil
Jan 20, 2015 03:16pm
@Saad The PM cannot appoint a Chairman for OGRA right now. He's run out of relatives.
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Riaz
Jan 20, 2015 03:19pm
How does OGRA become responsible? It has to be PSO; Ministry of Petroleum; and the PM as head of the Government.
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Haroon
Jan 20, 2015 03:34pm
yeah right..put the blame on the weak people, make them scapegoats... while the real people who should own up responsibility stay as ministers running their empire
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M Rafique
Jan 20, 2015 03:48pm
WHAT STRUCTURAL CHANGES ORDERED BY YOU PM ?????? only making fool the public of this country The stooges committee have not only exonerated the ruling party members but also endorsed the hypothetical suspension order of PSO persons by you
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Irfan
Jan 20, 2015 03:49pm
Actually these incompetent politicians are running the show since 1980’s. But due to Iran Khan and PAT Dharna and also the because of the media, Government and their way of thinking and functions are exposed, It is clear that these politician has spent millions of rupees the get elected in a hope to double or triple their investment in corruption so how come they will resign no matter what ever happens.
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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan
Jan 20, 2015 03:53pm
PML-N's pathetic government is reponsible for all our troubles, no electricity, no gas, no jobs and to add to our misery now petrol has also vanished. Well done. Way to go Or rather time to go
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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan
Jan 20, 2015 03:57pm
@Azam Jamil how about distant relatives? we heard that he leads a colorful life
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Adnan
Jan 20, 2015 04:27pm
Mr PM OGRA has refused to accept responsibility. OGRA had informed the oil companies and petroleum ministry about petrol stock on December 28 - who do you blame now? Time to imitate Mr Dar and bring out another conspiracy theory
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Taimoor
Jan 20, 2015 04:29pm
As in any democray, the buck stop at the very top. Mr Nawaz shareef, resign now along with your minister if you call yourself a democrat.
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Ali
Jan 20, 2015 04:29pm
No its you who is responsible, because all these comes under your supervision and don't throw responsibilities on others.
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Ali
Jan 20, 2015 04:30pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan you know they doing intentionally, in order to keep us under pressure, so we should not create any problem for them.
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Faisal
Jan 20, 2015 04:30pm
Pak Army may takeover completely and punish all those who are accountable!
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junaid
Jan 20, 2015 04:35pm
I was expecting them to fix responsibility in IK and PTI dharnas.
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Talha
Jan 20, 2015 05:07pm
If Ogra is responsible then why was MD PSO fired?
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Alarmed
Jan 20, 2015 05:10pm
Nawaz Sharif responsible for all crises not just petrol crisis. Hey Nawaz instead of spending Pakistani money on buying flats in Mayfair Lane, London buy petrol for us. Shame on you Nawaz! Please leave!
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M. Siddique
Jan 20, 2015 05:39pm
Mr. PM, please get notice that many people became rich in the last few days through black market. Why would it take long to rectify the problem and not today.
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samina
Jan 20, 2015 05:41pm
Mr PM! Some time it is better to admit the incompetencies of your ministers, one every crisis blame game start and you try your best to save your kitchen cabinet thats the policy of experienced team you have
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KK
Jan 20, 2015 05:43pm
Mr PM! Isn't is wiser to fire your minissters who caused one crisis after the other? More you save your incompetent ministers more you have to face such challenges in future as well.
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Talha
Jan 20, 2015 05:51pm
@junaid I think they are running out of options for blaming someone. I think that next time they would blame the nation for lack of fuel, electricity, water etc
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ashraf jamal
Jan 20, 2015 05:51pm
Government must allow, oil Imports at will, let be taxed on Imports. Pakistan Oil Imports must quadruple, electric be increased by 300%, Gas by 400% at low tax rate. Solar open for next ten years with no tax, no import duties, even on manufacturers no tax for 10 years of any sort. Pakistan should have clean, consistent, energy policy, no politics involved, no under the table as done Nawaz himself, by his family, and by his friends and by his government Ashraf Jamal Texas USA
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I. Ahmed
Jan 20, 2015 05:52pm
@AdHawk Actually that is why the crisis has been raised. Now PM's friend very soon will acquire PSO alongwith PIA and we will live happily ever after! Not only will he get the distribution but also the strategic import authority. And we will get petrol Hasb-e-Mansha.
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nasiroski
Jan 20, 2015 05:55pm
So now it's OGRA!! this govt is scrambling, they are buying time so the issue can be brushed under the carpet, PML N has now realized this is their last stint at Federal govt and it may not last long they are in money making mode. I bet no minister will loose his job on this disaster.
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MOHAMMAD TARIQ
Jan 20, 2015 05:56pm
Thanks god Mr. Ishaq Dar did not mentioned conspiracy against the so called democracy, instead its conspiracy against government! He should get out of box and be visionary FM. A week before the crises all the media was giving the facts about PSO cannot open new L/CS and import the fuel. Who is doing the conspiracy against the govt ? you were planning to save money for further drop in oil prices. Accept the fact.
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jay patel
Jan 20, 2015 06:01pm
First - several power centers (i.e. elected government PM, Army, ISI, Jihadis and terrorist) Second - A government which always denie facts (i.e 26/11 mumbai connection, Kashmir terrorist connection and all) . Now, one more sign of a failed state. Country which is denied by all oil companies as it is not capable to pay their long lasting dues. . . Eliminate terrorist and such elements
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Umer Ali
Jan 20, 2015 06:28pm
Okay NS. We believe you. After all its not the first time you have spoken the truth. You are a very credible PM. And we are a nation of credulous idiots.
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Mahmood Minhas
Jan 20, 2015 06:36pm
Prime Minster Sahib be a man like Governor Amir Mohammad Khan in whose regime the price of atta was increased by four annas and the governor call the high ups of the mill owners and stayed there in his office till the price of ata came back to its original rate and then released all owners of mills.
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Aj
Jan 20, 2015 06:44pm
Mr.Prime Minister you are equally responsible and stop blaming others. Please take steps to correct the failing system and show the people that you are an honest person and care about the people of Pakistan. It is not That difficult.
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Ahmer
Jan 20, 2015 06:50pm
Suspend everyone so long as he is not related to Nawaz Sharif.
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Ghaznavi
Jan 20, 2015 07:04pm
Let's blame India and Israel for the problem ! It will be swallowed easily by the masses.
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nisar
Jan 20, 2015 07:04pm
Dar is responsible for mess by achieving $15b but Nawaz the King of arrogance will not fire him. Suffering of the masses doesn't effect the Sharifs khandan as they do not care a fig about them.
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Gulzar
Jan 20, 2015 07:16pm
If they want a name take mine. I am responsible.where are we and where we could be. But for small personal agendas our leaders have always compromised and today we have this leadership.Nawaz is there not of has ablity but becuse of has inablity, to get an open ground for the real players and we r paying the price.
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Desida
Jan 20, 2015 08:01pm
To fix the problem, all has to be done is to use their democratic right and procedure and introduce Non confidence motion in the NA by PPP the so called no guts Opposition. But and this is Big BUT, PPP will not do it because Corrupt Zardari and Master of Corruption NS has a deal..I-5 you-5, both bank money.
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waqar
Jan 20, 2015 08:16pm
we as a nation are the ones who are at fault to bring the corrupt to power again why blame others or any institution we now should open our eyes and ears and be ready to fight for the changes required for a better and peaceful life. MAY ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY HELP US
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Ike iwk
Jan 20, 2015 08:18pm
@Riaz It is simple OGRA reduced prices which benefited public and loss to Govt.
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shezad
Jan 20, 2015 08:21pm
What is shameful is that Pakistani public lack the means and the motivation to remove such an inept government from office. Better yet the very same people will come back to form a government.
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speakup
Jan 20, 2015 08:51pm
Mr. Abbasi must resign, democratic system does not function without checks and balances and accountability starts from within.
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rohit950723
Jan 20, 2015 09:18pm
@Umer Ali ... so true....
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Khalil Ahmed
Jan 20, 2015 09:34pm
I am surprised Prime Minister did not announce a Judicial commission or a committee for Investigations this time???
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Atif Ali
Jan 20, 2015 09:40pm
Excellent enquiry....its not govt fault, not even a minister did anything wrong. Being a pakistani its all our fault. Don't make us fool plz
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rana1
Jan 20, 2015 09:57pm
@beiers .........good advise but we do not trust anyone in pakistan now.We find it better to invest in Riba but not in our free markets.
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rana1
Jan 20, 2015 10:03pm
@A Pakistani .........like our leaders as our nation!
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Asphyx
Jan 20, 2015 10:03pm
No gas, No electricity, No water, No petrol, No reserves, No jobs, No health care, No education, No justice, No infrastructure, No law and order, only two things that is driving our country corruption and terrorism.
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rana1
Jan 20, 2015 10:05pm
@Azam Jamil .........how to apply for this position as relative? Any such application forms,people....mmm.
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syed wasim haider
Jan 20, 2015 10:06pm
PML-N must realize that masses has started loosing faith on your leader's ability. They actually want to know the true story behind this if there is any .Please run the government with sincerity.
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Avi Sinha
Jan 20, 2015 10:18pm
Petrol is so cheap and getting cheaper day by day in India and else where, its a buyer's commodity now a days and freely available in the world market, how come its a crisis in Pakistan? Can't understand this.
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anilindia
Jan 20, 2015 10:28pm
They are saying demand increase 30% but prise has decreased by 50% . still 20 % less import bill. Then how they are blaming increase in demand.
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Moazzam
Jan 20, 2015 10:56pm
Brilliant. PML N gets the monkey off their back. OGRA is a parking lot for retired bureaucrats. Blaming the geriatrics is for now the best political survival strategy.
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Adnan Anwar
Jan 20, 2015 10:58pm
You have pay money to buy oil, if you never pay your bills then this was bound to happen. It is Petroleum minister and Finance Minster incompetency.
Recommend 0
Awais Ali
Jan 20, 2015 11:08pm
Previously every wrong thing was due to PTI,s dharna and now it goes to OGRA. How innocent and sinless PML-N leaders are.
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AHMED
Jan 21, 2015 12:07am
@Rizwan No it is not a part of the government. Ogra is an independent regulatory branch responsible for setting petrol prices.
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.jani
Jan 21, 2015 12:14am
Situation warrants resignation of the Minister concerned.
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Buzz
Jan 21, 2015 12:54am
Bring back "Go Nawaz Go".
Recommend 0
Zoab Khan
Jan 21, 2015 01:14am
OGRA made a scapegoat. Because no new head is placed there by PMLN. Sounds like OGRA needs to be gifted another Sharif.....
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khan
Jan 21, 2015 03:37am
Everyone in the government is responsible. Your empty words don't sound as sweet as Imran Khan's.
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Indian
Jan 21, 2015 04:26am
@ashraf jamal "Government must allow, oil Imports at will,.." To do that your country need enough foreign exchange reserve. Currently you have only $15.06 billion.
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BA
Jan 21, 2015 05:19am
why doesn't the petroleum minister resign? when he acknowledges the fact he is the person responsible. step down man! why fire the little guys down the pipeline - they don't make the decisions.
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Sheikh Khalid
Jan 21, 2015 06:23am
@Azam Jamil yes the law allows for Suo Moto in cases involving public interest. specially when the "negligence/incompetence" is outright criminal and and the executive branch is itself the perpetrator. this fuel shortage should have shown up as a report of Balance of Payment going into lag at MR. Dar's desk weeks ago. therefore it is negligence/incompetence/conspiratorial/ AND criminal.
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farhaj
Jan 21, 2015 10:21am
petrol crises deliberately did by government to save profit of inventory of petrol reserve at old price.. so Minster directed not to order the petrol as it reduce the price. they are not from us.. they are capalist
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Imran
Jan 22, 2015 12:27pm
Can someone explain why the share price of PSO has been rising? Is there a new player manipulating the stock market after Mr. Zardari?
Recommend 0

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