LETTER: It is heartening to note that Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered "maximum" punitive action against all those responsible for artificial shortage of petrol in the country. In my view, the government has taken the right step towards authorizing the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and the Petroleum Division to physically enter and inspect oil companies storage facilities. The oil shortages have unnecessarily caused a huge crisis. Anyone found involved in hoarding must face full force of law, including arrest and forced release of such stores.

In the meantime, the government must reach out to all 'scrupulous' OMCs with a view to ascertaining the facts in relation to petrol shortages.

Nazir Khan (Lahore)