PESHAWAR: The fuel crisis worsened in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday as oil supplies to the most filling stations from the main depots remained suspended for the fifth consecutive day.

The administrations sealed 79 filling stations for not selling fuel and conducted raids to ensure the provision of oil to motorists and motorcyclists.

A spokesman for Peshawar’s administration Sajid Khan said the managers of 22 filling stations were arrested in the provincial metropolis for hoarding, profiteering and not ordering fuel as required under the government’s policy.

A total of 311 people, including traders, were held for not wearing face masks at public places.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mehmood Khan and chief secretary Dr Kazim Niaz issued instructions for the strict enforcement of SOPs to stem the spread of coronavirus in light of the decisions of the National Coordination Committee (NCC).

Around 80 petrol pumps, 16 bus stands sealed

According to a statement issued here, the administrations of various districts inspected 736 petrol pumps, sealed 46 of them and arrested their managers for violating standard operating procedures.

Owners of 79 petrol pumps were fined.

During raids, a number of shops, plazas and various businesses in different districts of the province were sealed, while fine was imposed on the people, who failed to follow SOPs.

Around 10,900 shops were inspected in the province and of them, 3,894 were found to be following SOPs.

Warnings were issued to 2,981 shopkeepers, while 2,751 were fined for violation of SOPs. A total of 490 shops were sealed over SOP violation. Of 454 markets, 14 were fined and 35 were sealed.

Of the mangers of 149 bus stands in the province, eight were fined for violating SOPs, while 16 bus stands were sealed. A total of 198 public transport vehicles were fined, while 82 vehicles were banned.

In addition, the district administrations fined owners of 15 industrial units for violating the guidelines issued by the government, while 37 industrial units were sealed.

Also, 11,684 public places were inspected, where 488 people were fined for violating SOPs.

A total of 736 petrol pumps in different districts of the province were inspected and 46 of them were sealed and owners of 79 were fined.

The administrations in different districts conducted 33,001 inspections where a total of 3,553 businesses including mega marts, shops were fined and 811 businesses were sealed.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2020