Authorities have shut down 2,500 illegal petrol pumps as part of measures to curb petroleum smuggling and the illegal movement of fuel.

The development was shared during a weekly meeting on Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reforms chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

The meeting was informed that the Rah-e-Raftar app was used in the crackdown, resulting in the closure of 2,500 illegal petrol pumps. Legal action was also taken against the operators.

Authorities are also using digital systems to monitor the petroleum supply chain and prevent illegal fuel movement.

Measures include GIS tagging of legally operating petrol pumps, GPS tracking of petroleum products and integration of oil marketing companies’ ERP systems with the tracking mechanism.

A central tracking app has also been developed for law enforcement agencies, while work is continuing on digital monitoring of petroleum product sales.

The prime minister directed authorities to further intensify action against smuggling and illegal businesses and accelerate measures aimed at strengthening enforcement and improving revenue collection.