Petrol Strike: Petroleum Dealers Announce 24-Hour Nationwide Shutdown
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Petrol pumps across Pakistan will remain closed for 24 hours from Thursday morning as dealers press the government to accept their demands.
Featured Image Caption (English): PPDA leaders announce a nationwide 24-hour petrol pump strike during a press conference in Karachi.
Petrol Strike action will begin across Pakistan at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, following an announcement by the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA).
The association said petrol pumps will remain closed until 6:00 a.m. on Friday. It warned that it would announce further protests if the government fails to accept its demands after the one-day shutdown.
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Dealers Oppose Daily Fuel Price Changes
Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, PPDA Chief Advisor Malik Khuda Bakhsh, along with Vice Chairman Tariq Hassan, Sindh President Haji Amir Khan, Saeed Khan and Anwar Kamal, criticised the government’s decision to revise petroleum prices every 24 hours.
The association urged the government to restore the 30-day petroleum pricing mechanism. It argued that monthly price revisions would provide greater stability for fuel retailers.
Association Lists Five Key Demands
Malik Khuda Bakhsh said dealers’ profit margins have remained unchanged for the past two years. He called on the government to fix a permanent 8% dealer commission.
He also demanded an end to the fuel allocation policy of oil marketing companies (OMCs). He urged the authorities to ensure an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across the country.
The association further requested permission for petrol pump operators to recover bank and point-of-sale (POS) charges from customers who use debit cards, credit cards and digital payment services.
Warning of Further Protests
PPDA Sindh President Haji Amir Khan said dealers have been seeking higher margins for the past two years. He urged the government to honour its commitment to increase dealers’ commission.
Vice Chairman Tariq Hassan said the association would not withdraw any of its five demands. He warned that PPDA would announce its next phase of protests if the government does not respond positively after the nationwide strike.
