The All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (APPDA) has expressed grave concern over the diesel crisis and termed private oil companies as responsible for it.

They said the government has not yet inspected any OMC depot. They said if the government raises the price, the diesel crisis will end immediately.

According to the 24News HD TV channel, the association leaders Noman Ali Butt and others held a press conference in Rawalpindi on Wednesday and urged the government that if there is a 21-day stock, it should be provided.

They said if the issue is not resolved immediately, the pump owners will be forced to go on strike after two days as the diesel crisis has been intensifying.

The APPDA leaders said diesel is not available in major districts of Punjab including Twin Cities, Chakwal, Kalrasidan, Chak Bailey Khan and other areas.

Nowadays it is a wheat season, and 10,000 litres of diesel is sold in two hours while apart from the Pakistan State Oil company (PSO), there is no space for diesel storage, they said.

The association leaders said despite knowing the fact that the private companies are not providing petroleum products, the administration is putting pressure on petroleum dealers to sell diesel.