7 fuel stations shut for low quality, high prices in Kandahar

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): The municipality has closed seven fuel stations in the capital of southern Kandahar province for selling low-quality fuel and arbitrarily increasing prices, an official said on Monday.

Saifullah Asem, spokesman for Kandahar Municipality, told Pajhwok Afghan News that a joint committee, headed by the provincial governor and comprising representatives from various departments, conducted inspections and evaluations of fuel stations across the city.

“Seven fuel stations were shut down during the inspection for selling substandard fuel, marketing regular petrol as ‘super’, and imposing unauthorised price hikes,” Asem said.

He added that following discussions with fuel sellers, it was decided that no station would be permitted to sell regular petrol labelled as ‘super’ or ‘92’ in future.

Stations wishing to sell ‘super’ or ‘92’ petrol must obtain official authorisation from the state-owned oil and gas company. If they operate without permission, their station will be closed for three months, he warned.

Asem noted that the committee decided petrol must be sold at 65afs per litre, and diesel at 66afs per litre.

Meanwhile, in a related development, 10 fuel stations were closed in Zaranj, the capital of northwestern Nimroz province, on Sunday for hoarding and price manipulation.

kk/sa