Maryam Nawaz Orders Crackdown on Fuel Hoarders, Approves Major Water Storage Project in Punjab
By Sadia Khan :
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday ordered a province-wide crackdown on hoarders and profiteers involved in stockpiling petroleum products, directing authorities to take strict and immediate action against those creating artificial shortages.
According to a statement issued by the Directorate General Public Relations Punjab, the chief minister instructed officials to move decisively against elements attempting to exploit the situation by hoarding fuel supplies.
The Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) has been mobilised across the province to launch a large-scale operation targeting those involved in illegal fuel stockpiling.
“The authorities have been directed to take strict action against elements involved in creating artificial shortages in order to earn illegal profits,” the chief minister said.
Under the new directives, petrol pumps found involved in hoarding or profiteering will be sealed immediately and their licences cancelled.
Zero tolerance for hoarders
Maryam Nawaz directed PERA to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against hoarders and instructed field officers to intensify monitoring of petrol pumps across the province.
She said the provincial administration had established a strong enforcement mechanism to curb the activities of what she described as the “petrol mafia.”
The chief minister emphasised that sufficient petroleum products were available across the province and urged citizens not to believe rumours regarding shortages.
Authorities also warned that individuals spreading misinformation or speculation about fuel scarcity would face strict legal action.
Officials said the government would not allow anyone to exploit the public by creating panic or artificial shortages, particularly amid tensions in the Gulf region affecting global fuel markets.
CM approves underground water storage project
Separately, the chief minister approved the construction of 358 underground water storage tanks across the province to improve rainwater drainage and recharge groundwater reserves.
The decision was taken during a video-link meeting chaired by Maryam Nawaz to review progress on the Punjab Development Programme, clean water initiatives and the Model Village Project.
Officials told the meeting that the project would be implemented for the first time in Punjab as part of efforts to manage rainwater effectively and improve underground water levels.
Under the plan, 34 large underground storage tanks will be constructed in major cities to facilitate timely drainage of rainwater, while 324 roadside underground tanks will be installed to remove water accumulating on roads.
Recharge wells will also be built alongside the tanks to help replenish groundwater supplies.
Authorities said the stored rainwater would be treated through water treatment plants and reused for irrigation purposes, helping conserve water resources.
Expansion of wastewater treatment facilities
The meeting was informed that 328 wastewater treatment plants would also be established across the province to improve sanitation and water recycling.
Officials said the broader development programme includes the paving of 6,100 kilometres of streets and the installation of 3,498 kilometres of sewerage lines in cities across Punjab.
In addition, streetlights will be installed at 14,679 locations, while 33 million square feet of tuff tiles will be laid on streets and pathways.
To strengthen municipal services, the government will also provide 526 modern machines and tractors for drainage and sanitation work.
A new factory producing sewerage pipelines with a lifespan of up to 100 years has also been installed in Lahore and is expected to begin production soon.
Development projects across Punjab
Officials said development projects under the provincial programme have already begun in several cities including Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, Okara, Jhang, Multan and Sialkot.
Work will soon begin in Jhelum, Hafizabad, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Rawalpindi.
Under the Punjab Rural Sanitation Improvement Programme, drainage systems will also be developed in rural areas.
Development schemes worth Rs59 billion will be implemented in 485 villages under the Model Village Project, with work already underway in 200 villages.
Authorities also plan to clean wastewater ponds and install treatment plants, enabling treated water to be supplied to agricultural fields for irrigation.
Focus on clean water and drainage before monsoon
Maryam Nawaz directed officials to ensure that filtration plants providing clean drinking water remain fully functional.
She also emphasised that paving village streets should be prioritised and instructed authorities to complete drainage projects before the upcoming monsoon season.
The chief minister further ordered the early completion of drainage schemes in Gujrat and Sialkot.
‘Transforming Punjab’
Maryam Nawaz said the scale of development projects currently underway in the province had not been seen in the past 70 to 80 years.
She expressed confidence that within five years, Punjab would emerge as a modern, developed and beautiful province as the government continues to implement large-scale infrastructure and public service initiatives.
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