An armed clash between two oil tankers' groups over a contract dispute turned the National Highway into a battlefield, leaving some 12 persons including a technician of a private TV channel injured. Four oil tankers were also set ablaze.
According to police, the incident took place near Port Qasim in the remits of Bin Qasim police station where the members of All Pakistan Oil Owners Association (APOOA) staged a protest demonstration against the allotment of edible oil transportation contract to private contractors. The protesters, who parked oil tankers on National Highway and blocked it for vehicular traffic, accused the government of awarding oil transportation contract to private contractors to earn undue gains.
Chairman APOOA, Bakhtawar, threatened to continue the protest unless the authorities decide to roll back the decision. He termed the decision as economic murder of the oil tankers' owners. Meanwhile, some miscreants set four oil tankers (TLL628, TLL 160, TLE 801, TLE 602) on fire that sparked armed clash between the members of APOOA and its rival group for over five hours, leaving eight persons injured.
Following the said incident, heavy contingent of police and Rangers rushed to the spot. The law enforcers also used baton charge and fired teargas to disperse the protestors. Later, four more persons including a technician of private TV channel namely Asif also injured. Deputy Commissioner Shaukat also rushed to the site to resolve the issue but failed. The protest caused gridlock on National Highway for five hours.
SP Riyaz said the members of APOOA staged protest over the contract issue. He said although heavy contingent of law enforcers were deployed, nobody was arrested. Meanwhile, SHO Bin Qasim Hazoor Bux confirmed that four oil tankers were torched. He further said the road was cleared for traffic after five hours.