The sale of smuggled Iranian diesel and petrol is causing huge revenue losses to the tune of about Rs40-50 million per day in Sindh alone. It also compromises safety of human life and vehicles according to the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association.
Sale of smuggled Iranian petrol and diesel is going on for a few years now and the number of such illegal outlets has increased sharply in many cities of Sindh and Balochistan provinces including Karachi and Quetta.
A difference of Rs7 to Rs8 per litre in Iranian petrol and diesel in Karachi as compared to products of oil marketing companies (OMC) is luring public and private vehicle owners.
Dealers opined that adding strict checks at the Iran-Pakistan border as well as intra-provincial borders, effective police crackdown and full cooperation of Commissioner and DCO of various cities can control this menace.
Senior Vice President Balochistan Petroleum Dealers Association (BPDA) Sarwar Shah said that the Balochistan government has started crackdown against transporters involved in transporting oil products in passenger buses.
