PEW rejects excuses by top officials for petrol crisis
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Tuesday criticised the way PML-N is handling motor fuel crisis and hiding its mismanagement under charges of a conspiracy against the government.
Federal ministers for finance, petroleum and water and power who are considered responsible for the mess are unwilling to accept any responsibility while offering lame excuses, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
Talking to a delegation of traders led by Shahid Rasheed Butt, he said that suspending officials that had repeatedly warned about the looming debacle will not help government pacify the enraged masses. Government paid circular debt once but did nothing to prevent its re-emergence and now they are denying responsibility which amounts to insulting the suffering people, he added.
Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that masses have been forced to follow the rationing of petrol or go to thriving black market at a time when the oil price is at its lowest point.
He said that many countries are building reserves due to low oil prices while in Pakistan the ruling party has forced masses to spend hours finding fuel which has proved its inability to deal with important issues.
Office of the DG Oil in the petroleum ministry and enforcement cell in Ogra daily receive report regarding production, import, arrival, marketing, distribution and storage of oil etc. but some officials did little to save nation from the crisis, he informed.
Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that Ogra has issued licences to many marketing companies that have no storage capacity which is height of mismanagement. Removing few officials cannot sooth feeling of disheartened masses, he said, adding that not a single head has been rolled at the highest level which shows the earnestness of the government. Ministers related to the mess have committed a crime by ignoring letters by MD PSO and continue to shrug off responsibility which shows their commitment but they must know that patience of masses have limits. Pakistan will see more problems in days to come if rulers continued to ignore merit, said Dr. Mughal.