.
LAHORE:
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered a crackdown against hoarders and profiteers involved in stockpiling petroleum products.
On the directives of the chief minister, the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) has been mobilised across the province for the purpose. Authorities have been instructed to take strict action against elements creating artificial shortages in order to earn illegal profits. According to the directives, petrol pumps found involved in hoarding or profiteering will be sealed immediately and their licences will be cancelled.
The chief minister directed PERA to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against hoarders and instructed field officers to ensure strict monitoring of petrol pumps throughout the province.
The government stated that the Punjab administration had prepared a strong enforcement mechanism against the “petrol mafia”. It made clear that no one would be allowed to exploit the public by creating panic or artificial shortages under the pretext of tensions in the Gulf region.
