ISLAMABAD: The government has initiated an investigation into a Rs135 billion scam involving the illegal import and sale of highly inflammable and hazardous fuel, disguised as an industrial chemical. A fact-finding committee, consisting of seven members and led by Additional Secretary Petroleum Hasan Mehmood Yousufzai, has been established to probe the scandal and provide recommendations within a week.
The committee, formed after intervention from the Prime Minister’s Office, will investigate the import, clearance, and sale of Light Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Solvent, a petroleum product in violation of the Petroleum Act 1969 and the Petroleum Rules 1937. The investigation follows the discovery of over 800 tankers carrying this dangerous petrol adulterant, which has caused significant damage to vehicles and financial losses for consumers and the state.
Customs Intelligence uncovered the scam in May, but it remained concealed until the Prime Minister’s Office intervened on July 29, halting the illegal operations. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has since blocked the clearance of the 807 tankers, including 160 Iranian tankers, currently stuck at the NLC Dry Port in Quetta.
The investigation is focused on determining responsibility for the illicit activities, which involved the importation of the solvent through the Taftan-NLC Dry Terminal, allegedly with the complicity of customs officials and laboratory personnel. The FBR has refused to clear the tankers without a proper license, despite pressure to relax legal requirements, and the commerce ministry has declined to support provisional clearance.
The committee’s findings are eagerly awaited, as the government considers its next steps in addressing this significant breach of regulatory oversight.
Story by
Shahbaz Rana
