Karachi petrol pumps sealed over fire safety violations, Dealers call action illegal

 Several petrol pumps have been sealed by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) over alleged violations of fire safety requirements triggering strong objections from the Petrol Pump Dealers Association (PPDA).

Karachi: Several petrol pumps have been sealed by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) over alleged violations of fire safety requirements triggering strong objections from the Petrol Pump Dealers Association (PPDA).

The Enforcement and Implementation Department of the KMC took action against multiple petrol pumps after finding what it described as inadequate fire safety arrangements. The closures have, however, sparked a dispute between the municipal authorities and petrol pump dealers over the procedure followed before the action was taken.

PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh criticized the move, claiming that the KMC had issued petrol pump dealers a seven-day notice to address the identified safety deficiencies. He alleged that despite the notice period some petrol pumps were sealed only one day after the notices were issued.

According to Khuda Bakhsh, the association has formally approached Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab through a complaint letter. The association has requested an immediate inquiry into the sealing of the petrol pumps before the completion of the seven-day compliance period.

The PPDA chairman also called for dealers to be given sufficient time to rectify safety-related shortcomings. In particular, he highlighted deficiencies concerning fire-fighting extinguishers saying petrol pump owners should be allowed a reasonable period to correct such issues before enforcement action is taken.

PPDA Vice Chairmen Tariq Hassan and Anwar Kamal also demanded that the sealed petrol pumps be reopened immediately. They maintained that dealers should be provided with a fair opportunity to address the deficiencies identified by the authorities.

The association further urged the KMC to consult and take the PPDA into confidence before taking action against petrol pump dealers in the future.

Khuda Bakhsh said the association appreciated the positive initiatives taken by Mayor Murtaza Wahab. However, he stressed that the association would oppose what it considers unlawful action against dealers.

The dispute now centers on whether the KMC followed the required notice and compliance procedure before sealing the petrol pumps. While municipal authorities have emphasized the importance of fire safety at petrol stations the dealers association is demanding due process and adequate time to comply with safety requirements.