ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) on Wednesday imposed Rs10 million penalty on Hascol Petroleum Ltd (HPL) and suspended its marketing license in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for running illegal storage and sale of petroleum products.

The decision was taken following a comprehensive inquiry into an August 15 fire accident in Amangarh-Nowshera near Peshawar that put to ashes three storage tanks having illegal and unauthorised petrol stocks.

“Based on the investigation and the documents, provided by the HPL, it was proved that the HPL remained involved in severe violations of law/rules and failed to provide reasonable justification for the operation of this depot despite (of) Ogra’s clear directives (issued in January) for the stoppage of operation of Amangarh depot till the fulfillment of all legal requirements and Ogra’s permission”, the regulator said in a statement adding that the HPL was found operating unauthorised storage and selling of petroleum products (petrol and diesel) at Amangarh Depot.

The regulator in its order said the decision was taken after giving an opportunity of hearing to the company.

“In exercise of the power conferred under section 6(2)(a) of Ogra Ordinance, 2002 and under Rule 66 of the Pakistan Oil (Refining, Blending, Transportation, Storage and Marketing) Rules, 2016, the authority hereby suspends the HPL‘s marketing activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” it said.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2020