Karachi, July 21, 2023 – In a significant development, petrol pumps across Pakistan will continue to operate as the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) decided to postpone their planned strike for the next 48 hours.
The decision was reached after a crucial meeting between representatives of the PPDA and State Minister of Petroleum, Musadik Malik, at PSO House on Friday.
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The scheduled strike was suspended following successful negotiations with the State Minister, who worked towards finding a middle ground between the government and the dealers. The key point of contention during the talks was the dealers’ demand for a five percent margin on petrol sales.
The negotiations took place in two phases, with the first round initially ending inconclusively. A brief pause was taken to allow time for prayers before resuming the discussions. In the second phase, Musadik Malik skillfully persuaded the dealers to agree to a temporary resolution lasting for several hours.
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After the productive meeting, Minister Malik addressed the media in a press conference, announcing the formation of a committee. This committee will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive assessment of the current situation of over two thousand petrol pumps across the country within the next forty-eight hours. Additionally, the committee will review the dealers’ margin and present its recommendations to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and the Prime Minister.
Chairman of the PPDA, Abdul Sami Khan, expressed that the association felt compelled to consider strike action but was now satisfied with the positive response received from Musadik Malik within the forty-eight-hour timeframe. This development indicates a willingness from both sides to engage in constructive dialogue to address the issue at hand.
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As the nation watches closely, the temporary postponement of the strike provides a window of opportunity for the committee to thoroughly assess the dealers’ concerns and find an amicable solution. The outcome of their findings will be critical in determining the future of petrol prices and the operations of petrol pumps across Pakistan.
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While the situation remains fluid, the postponement of the strike comes as a relief for millions of commuters and industries that heavily rely on a stable supply of petroleum products. All eyes will now be on the committee’s findings and the government’s subsequent actions in resolving the matter in the best interest of all stakeholders.
