KARACHI, May 15: Consumers faced problems in getting petrol and diesel on Thursday, especially in the Punjab, as a majority of petrol stations deliberately suspended sales to make monetary gains.

The petrol stations were once again expecting an increase in petroleum prices, but they faced disappointment as the government kept the prices unchanged.

Although some outlets in Karachi and other parts of Sindh were closed, sources said the situation was even better than Punjab. There were such petrol stations also which had actually gone dry owing to rush of consumers and short supply by the OMCs.

The sources in oil business said petrol and diesel remained in short supply in Lahore and Faisalabad since morning where petroleum dealers claimed that oil marketing companies (OMCs) did not supply them the products.

Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) Chairman Abdul Sami Khan told Dawn that 50 per cent petrol stations in Punjab suspended diesel and petrol sales since morning owing to supply constraints from their respective OMCs.

However, in Sindh, he said there were reports that 20 per cent outlets stopped sales.

OMCs have been providing less supply for the last couple of days, he claimed, blaming the officials for creating a panic-like situation about a possible price-hike ahead of the actual date of announcement.

He said people usually fill their fuel tanks one to two days ahead of the fortnightly announcement for fear of a price-hike.

He also claimed that Total and Shell provided only 10 per cent supplies to petrol stations on May 15.

To a question about as to who was responsible for causing miseries to people, he said: “Dealers are also responsible if they are intentionally closing their outlets despite having stocks.” However, responsibility also lies with the OMCs to monitor the situation as to how many franchise dealers have deliberately closed their petrol stations.

Petrol station owners (depending on the size of the pumps) usually have a capacity to store 15,000-25,000 litres in their underground tanks, and on highway outlets the storage capacity is 35,000 litres.

The government has failed to check a malpractice by the petrol stations. They deliberately stop sales, and cause sufferings to customers who are the ultimate losers.

Clever pump owners have also been demanding higher inventory from the OMCs than the normal demand, but OMCs usually provide normal supplies to them instead of bulk supplies.

Even OMCs make gains whenever oil prices are raised. For example, if the government increases price by Rs4 to 5 per litre, one can estimate the instant windfall in shape of monetary gains.

The PPDA, despite receiving several complaints, is yet to take any action against petrol pump owners involved in suspending sales.

However, Sami Khan said when pumps get dry owing to very thin supply from the OMCs, one cannot do anything. As a result, pressure of consumers increases.