Acting on directions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Punjab government has ordered an immediate province-wide crackdown on illegal petrol pumps, identifying 238 fuel outlets operating without registration.
According to a news report, high-priority instructions issued by the Home Department and the Directorate General of Industries, Punjab, have directed all deputy commissioners to take swift action under relevant laws, shut down the identified outlets without delay, and submit compliance reports for onward transmission to the Ministry of Interior.
The list of unregistered petrol pumps spans major cities and districts across the province, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Jhang, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Sahiwal, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Sheikhupura, Chakwal, Attock and Jhelum, as well as areas surrounding Islamabad.
The data includes roadside mini pumps and larger filling stations operating under various brand names without digital registration.
According to officials, the Prime Minister’s Office has conveyed clear instructions to eliminate all illegal petrol pumps and bring the number to zero. In response, the Federal Board of Revenue provided district-wise data identifying 238 unregistered fuel outlets across Punjab that are not listed on the Rahguzar App, the government’s platform for verifying legally approved petrol stations.
The enforcement drive is being treated as a top-priority matter, with the Punjab government required to present progress in an upcoming meeting of the Ministry of Interior. Under the Punjab Government Rules of Business, the Industries, Commerce, Investment and Skills Development Department has been designated as the responsible authority to oversee action against illegal fuel outlets.
Officials said illegal petrol pumps facilitate the sale of smuggled fuel, evade taxes, and operate without safety approvals, increasing risks of accidents and environmental damage. Authorities believe shutting down these outlets will help curb fuel smuggling, strengthen regulatory oversight, and improve public safety.
Deputy commissioners have been instructed to personally supervise the enforcement campaign in their districts and ensure that no illegal petrol pump remains operational.
The Punjab government has warned that strict legal action will be taken in cases of non-compliance as it moves to implement the prime minister’s directive and enforce zero tolerance for illegal petrol pumps across the province.
