Soran
Five gas stations closed in Khalifan district for low-quality fuel
KHALIFAN – Authorities in Khalifan district, under the Soran Autonomous Administration, temporarily closed five gas stations on Wednesday due to the poor quality of their fuel, Amir Shanadari, head of Soran’s Oil and Minerals Directorate, told 964media.
The affected stations are Luqman, Kurdistan, Bani Harir, Sarchia, and Rojhelati Soran. Shanadari stated that authorities had previously warned that any gas station selling low-quality fuel would be publicly identified.
While no specific penalties have been imposed yet, Shanadari mentioned that the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Interior will determine the duration of the closures and any financial measures. He noted that gas stations with prior violations could face stricter penalties.
The economic committee of Khalifan district conducted inspections of 11 gas stations on Jan. 26, collecting fuel samples to assess their quality. By Jan. 29, it was confirmed that five of these stations failed to meet the required quality standards, leading to their closure.
This action follows similar measures taken in recent months. In December 2024, Khalifan authorities shut down seven gas stations for violating safety standards, failing to renew operating licenses, and not paying property fees.
Khalifan district hosts approximately 15 gas stations, with eight located in the urban center. The recent closures impact about one-third of these stations, significantly affecting fuel availability in the area.