The prime minister was also informed that there would be no protests if the oil prices were increased. Further, PM Shehbaz had refused to increase the oil prices despite the grave situation of the oil industry. In a bid to tackle the looming diesel shortage crisis, the government had directed the oil refineries to boost local production. They had drawn the attention of the government towards their reluctance in lifting furnace oil in order to boost production. This cycle of scarcity and glut of furnace oil had not happened for the first time and the country had been confronted by such crisis in the past too.

Source: The Express Tribune April 20, 2022 01:46 UTC