The government has shut down around 2,500 illegal petrol pumps across Pakistan as part of a nationwide crackdown on petroleum smuggling and the unlawful sale of fuel.
Authorities have also taken action against the owners and operators of the illegal petrol stations as part of efforts to strengthen controls over petroleum products.
Govt Targets Illegal Petrol Pumps
The government briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the action during a weekly meeting on reforms at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Officials told the prime minister that authorities had introduced several digital measures to prevent the illegal movement and sale of petroleum products.
The measures aim to improve monitoring across the fuel supply chain and make it harder for smugglers to operate.
Digital Tracking of Petrol Pumps
According to officials, authorities are linking petrol pumps through a Geographic Information System (GIS) tagging system.
Furthermore, the government plans to monitor fuel transportation through GPS tracking and an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
These technologies will help authorities track petroleum products from transportation to sale.
App Developed for Law Enforcement Agencies
Officials have also prepared a tracking application for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
The application will allow security and enforcement agencies to monitor the movement of petroleum products and identify suspicious or illegal transportation.
As a result, authorities expect to improve coordination between agencies involved in preventing fuel smuggling.
Govt Strengthens Supply Chain Monitoring
The meeting also reviewed measures to strengthen controls across the petroleum supply chain.
Officials discussed ways to digitally monitor fuel sales and improve oversight of petroleum products.
The government believes stronger digital monitoring can help identify irregularities more quickly and reduce opportunities for illegal fuel trading.
Shehbaz Orders Faster Action
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the relevant authorities to accelerate the crackdown on smuggling and illegal businesses.
He also instructed officials to complete FBR reforms as quickly as possible.
The reforms are intended to strengthen revenue collection while improving enforcement of existing laws.
Focus on Curbing Fuel Smuggling
The closure of thousands of illegal petrol pumps represents a major step in the government’s efforts to tackle petroleum smuggling.
Meanwhile, the introduction of GIS tagging, GPS tracking and digital monitoring could give authorities greater control over the movement and sale of fuel.
The government is now expected to continue enforcement operations while expanding digital systems designed to prevent illegal petroleum transportation and strengthen oversight of the fuel market.
