Islamabad Authorities Register Cases Against Four Petrol Pumps Over Suspicious Devices

The Islamabad district administration has registered cases against four petrol pumps after inspectors discovered suspicious electronic devices during a citywide check of fuel stations, officials said. The administration has also decided to cancel the no-objection certificates (NOCs) issued to all four outlets, a move that could affect their ability to operate legally.

As part of the drive, teams inspected 43 fuel stations across the capital to examine fuel measurement systems and identify irregularities in dispensing equipment. The inspections were aimed at verifying whether customers were receiving the correct quantity of fuel and whether any tampering had been carried out at the pumps.

According to the district administration, inspectors confirmed alterations in 42 fuel nozzles at 14 petrol pumps. Authorities sealed all 42 nozzles on the spot after detecting the irregularities, preventing further use of the affected equipment while investigations continue.

The suspicious electronic devices found at four of the stations prompted officials to lodge cases against their managements. The administration said the decision to revoke the NOCs of these four fuel stations was taken in light of the findings, though no further details about the devices or the cases were immediately disclosed.

Meanwhile, the inspection found no measurement irregularities at 29 of the 43 petrol pumps. The district administration said fuel measurements at these stations met the prescribed standards, giving a clean result to a majority of the outlets checked. Overall, irregularities were recorded at 14 fuel stations, while the remaining 29 passed the fuel measurement checks.

The operation reflects growing scrutiny of fuel dispensing practices in the federal capital, where short-measurement complaints have long been a concern for motorists. Officials have not announced a timeline for the next round of inspections or for the formal cancellation of the NOCs.

Independent bodies have previously urged authorities to conduct regular and surprise checks at fuel stations to protect consumers from tampering with dispensing units. The latest findings are expected to intensify calls for stricter monitoring of the sector.