Oil industry seeks ban on illegal solvent

The oil industry has urged the federal government to immediately ban the illegal import and distribution of light aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent mixed with petroleum products that cause damage to automobile engines. Expressing grave concerns regarding illegal imports, Oil Marketing Association of Pakistan (OMAP) Chairman Tariq Wazir Ali said this solvent is being extensively used in the adulteration of petrol, leading to significant repercussions for both the industry and the country at large. In a letter to the petroleum secretary, the chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and the director-general of oil, Mr Wazir said the customs authorities had confiscated around 900 tankers of hydrocarbon solvent imported by certain quarters without a legal cover that was later released after the involvement of Ministry of Petroleum at penalty of Rs300,000 per tanker. The customs authorities had estimated the price differential between Rs50 and Rs150 per litre.