PPDA seeks more time after government assurances, while petrol pump owners remain firm on an indefinite nationwide strike from July 22.
A division has emerged within Pakistan’s petroleum retail sector as the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association confirmed plans for an indefinite nationwide strike, while leading representatives of petroleum dealers urged caution after receiving assurances from the government regarding their concerns.
Chief Advisor of the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA), Malik Khuda Bakhsh, and Vice President Tariq Hassan said the government had acknowledged the issues facing petroleum dealers and requested one week to address them.
According to the PPDA leadership, authorities have assured stakeholders that efforts are underway to resolve outstanding matters affecting the sector.
The PPDA officials further announced that a meeting of the association’s Central Committee will take place in Karachi on Wednesday. The committee is expected to review the latest developments and make decisions aimed at protecting the interests of petroleum dealers across the country.
Despite these assurances, the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association has maintained its decision to launch a nationwide shutdown. The association stated that all petrol pumps would remain closed from midnight on July 22 following unsuccessful negotiations with Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik.
According to the association, discussions regarding an increase in dealer margins and concerns over the implementation of daily fuel price adjustments failed to produce a satisfactory outcome. As a result, the organization decided to proceed with an indefinite strike until its demands are accepted by the government.
The association has instructed petrol pump owners nationwide to participate fully in the protest and ensure that fuel stations remain completely closed from the announced date and time. It emphasized the importance of unity among stakeholders and called for a peaceful demonstration throughout the strike period.
In its statement, the association urged the government to take constructive measures and approve what it described as legitimate demands of petroleum retailers. It reiterated that the strike would continue until a mutually acceptable solution is reached.
Meanwhile, Shoaib Khan, a central leader of the All Pakistan Petroleum Retailers Association, also announced support for the protest movement. He said the association would stand alongside petrol pump owners and support demonstrations against policies that retailers believe are unfair and detrimental to their business interests.
The evolving situation has created uncertainty in the fuel retail market, with stakeholders awaiting the outcome of upcoming discussions between dealer representatives and government authorities.