DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The petroleum owners` association staged a protest rally here on Wednesday against illegal oil agencies and smuggling of petroleum products in Dera division.

The rally commenced from Haq Nawaz Park and culminated at Topanwala Chowk, with participants holding placards and banners.The protest was led by Jan Alam Mehsud, provincial vice-chairman of the association.

Other speakers included Naveed Ahmed, the association`s general secretary for Dera, vice-president Khan Zaman, tehsil president Mohammad Shakeel, divisional chairman of UpperWaziristanIqbalKhanMehsud and divisional president Ikram Khan.

Addressing the protesters, the speakers accused the district adminis-tration and police of being complicit in petroleum products` smuggling.

They claimed while legally operating petrol pump owners paid high taxes and incurred sign i f i e a n t expenses, illegal fuel sellers were allegedly protected by government officials in exchange for bribes.

On the occasion, Jan Alam alleged that a police officer had t o pay a bribe to secure a posting at Sheikh Mela e h e c k p o s t because the station saw the daily smuggling of thousands of litres of petroleum products.He claimed officers stationed there earned substantial amounts through corrupt practices.

Furthermore, he accused senior police officials, district administrators, and influential political figures in Peshawar of being part of the illicit petroleum trade.

The protesters highlighted that hundreds of motorcycles carrying fuel cans could be seen daily transporting smuggled petroleum products from Dera-Quetta Road to Dera Ismail Khan and surrounding areas.

`Smugglers allegedly distribute illegal Iranian fuel to unauthorised filling stations, where it is sold at significantly lower prices.

The association`s provincial vicechairman pointed out that previously, legal petrol stations sold thousands of litres of fuel daily, but now even a few hundred litres were sold, as smuggled fuel was being delivered directly to households at cheaper rates. `This has severely impacted legitimate petrol pump owners, leaving their businesses in crisis.

The speakers alsoraised concerns about the widespread use of illegal LPG gas stations despite a ban on installation of LPG cylinders in vehicles. They claimed most rickshaws and public transport vehicles in the city still used LPG cylinders, posing a severe explosion hazard.

The protesters also alleged that whenever they raised concerns about illegal petroleum trade, the district administration retaliated by raiding licensed petrol stations instead of taking action against illegal fuel sellers.

They further accused administrative officials of protecting these illegal fuel sellers for bribes.