Karachi: Due to high rise in petroleum products, the sale of smuggled Iranian petrol is touching its extreme level, causing losses of billions of rupees in government exchequer while important personalities of government are also investing and providing shelter to this illegal business, it is reliably learnt to The News Tribe.
The daily consumption of Iranian petrol has boomed up and providing a big share in daily oil products consumption in Karachi, sources claimed.
A major decline of 10,000 to 15,000 tons is recorded in the sale of daily consumption of locally produced petroleum products after the announcement of increase in charges of petroleum products, made by the government, sources claimed.
A provincial minister made a deal with the persons, involved in smuggling of Iranian oil products, of 100 million rupees per month to provide them and their business from the law enforcement agencies, sources alleged.
“I was present on spot when three members of smugglers group met with the representative of the minister to finalize the deal who came in the land cruiser jeep along with a police mobile in protocol”, sources claimed.
This deal was made with the high ups of smugglers group of Karachi; he said and added that “This illegal business is going to be legal”.
Karachi police is unable to take action against the elements, running this business, as police have been prohibited to interfere.
Police special branch and other intelligence agencies have submitted reports and details about the smuggling of Iranian oil products in Karachi and also pointed out the hide outs of the elements as well as illegal pumps.
The home department is not taking interest to curb the elements, involved in smuggling, and neglected the reports of intelligence agencies.
Sources further told that sale of Iranian petrol is now becoming a profitable business, and now important personalities are also going to invest in such business.
Two important figures, a Senator and a Member National Assembly, of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are making investments in such illegal business and providing shelter to the persons involved.
Such political figures are generating billions of rupees per month through this business and established more than 28 illegal pumping stations only in Lyari while 4 in Cattle Colony, one in Khokhrapar, two in Orangi Town.
More than 5,000 to 8,000 liters Iranian oil products of cost one million rupees are being sold daily only at the illegal pumping stations of the government personalities, sources said.
“We are getting heavy amounts in terms of salary and feel no hesitation in serving in this business”, said a worker of illegal pumping station on anonymity.
The consumption of smuggled Iranian oil products was about 30,000 to 35,000 tons in Karachi in last year and has increased up to 15,000 tons per day in first two months of current year, sources said and added that It may increase in future due to increase in petroleum prices..
Despite huge losses of about 7 billion rupees per annum in tax revenue, government is not taking interest to curb such illegal business, he said.
International donors like World Bank and IMF has also warned government to stop illegal business in the interest of stake holders of this sector, sources said.
The business of sale of smuggled Iranian petrol is getting boost and transporters are playing a role as they are purchasing low cost Iranian petrol to increase their profit.
While Iranian products are harmful for the engine of the vehicles, the only advantage of smuggled Iranian oil products are there low rates. Iranian petrol is 25 to 30 rupees cheaper than the price of local petrol.
An increase of 4 rupees has been also recorded in the price of Iranian petrol in Karachi and it has increased up to 49 rupees a liter in last 24 hours as government has announced a high of 7 rupees per liter in petrol prices.
Only a few months back, Iranian petrol had been selling in Surjani Town, Baldia Town, Manghopir, Landhi, Orangi Town, Malir, Bin Qasim, Gulshan e Iqbal, Korangi, Lyari and other areas of the city.
Lyari is considered the main hub of smuggled petrol and distribution of smuggled petrol to other parts of the city is made from the area. More than 94 illegal dumping stations are present in Lyari Twon.
Iranian petroleum products were selling on the cheaper rates of 43 to 45 rupees per litre but in last 24 hours such prices got boost and touched extreme level of 50 to 53 rupees.
It was also revealed that consumers of the smuggled products were not belonging to any specific class but persons from the posh areas were also regular costumers of the such products.
A responsible person in the head office of Habib Bank Limited, who was getting Iranian fuel for his car near Nehal Hospital Malir said on anonymity that local petroleum products could not be afford due to there high cost therefore he preferred Iranian petrol.
A motorcyclists said that he always give priority to Iranian petrol as compare to local because his pocket money did not permit him.
“I m a student of Karachi University and my father is a laborer in Pakistan Steel Mills. I belong to a middle class family where we spend even a single rupee after dozen of thoughts, so my pocket money can not afford petrol prices”, he said.
I don’t feel any hesitation in getting petrol because high ups of government are said to be involved in this business and the open sale of smuggled petrol prove this, another customer at illegal station said while talking to The news tribe.
He said while pointing out a police mobile that police knew very well about such illegal stations but never tried to remove them than why we feel any hesitation.
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