Islamabad moves to revoke 3 petrol pump’s NOC over alleged meter tampering
Lehtrar Road's Filling Stations face a November 18 hearing after inspectors reported finding electronic devices in their fuel dispensers. The notices follows a citywide operation in which 42 nozzles were sealed at 14 filling stations.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad district administration has issued show-cause notices to 3 filling stations in Thanda Pani on Lehtrar Road, asking their management why the outlet’s no-objection certificate (NOC) should not be cancelled over the alleged installation and use of electronic devices to manipulate fuel measurements.
The notices were issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner and signed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad Capital Territory. It cite a November 6 report by the Assistant Commissioner (Rural) on an inspection carried out at the stations on November 2.
According to the notices, the inspection followed information that some filling stations were allegedly using devices to dispense less fuel than the quantity shown on the machine. Inspectors reported finding electronic devices installed in the station’s dispensers. A magistrate subsequently sealed the machines, and officials retained the devices for technical examination.
Stations Given Seven Days to Respond
The owners or managers has seven days from receipt of the notices to submit a written explanation. The administration has asked why the NOC should not be cancelled and why legal or administrative action should not be taken against the owners or management.
The stations have been directed to submit their NOC, relevant licences, Form K certificates, dispenser inspection and maintenance records, and any other documents it intends to rely on in its defence. The federal petroleum safety agency lists Form K as the form used for granting petrol pump licences.
The owners may appear in person or through an authorised representative before the Additional Deputy Commissioner on November 18 at 10am. The notices say the administration may decide the matter on the available record if the station fails to reply within the stipulated period or attend the hearing. Cancellation of Rising Star’s NOC is proposed in the notice.
Four Cases Registered in Citywide Crackdown
Three filling stations on Lehtrar Road had received show-cause notices over suspected dispenser tampering.
The wider operation had already reached filling stations in the Rural and Nilore zones by November 5, when officials had sealed 11 dispensers for short delivery. On November 6, the administration reported sealing six filling stations and more than 40 nozzles across the capital. Staff at two outlets were arrested in connection with the alleged use of electronic devices.
In its November 7 update, the administration said it had inspected 43 filling stations. Officials reported alterations in 42 nozzles at 14 stations and sealed the affected nozzles on the spot. Measurements at the remaining 29 stations met the prescribed standard. The administration said it had registered cases against four outlets after recovering suspicious electronic devices and had decided to revoke their NOCs.
