Jul 05, 2024
Petrol pumps across Pakistan mostly remained operational on Friday despite a call for a strike by a faction of the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA). The strike was announced in protest against a 0.5% turnover tax introduced in the federal budget for fiscal year 2024-25.
A group led by PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan had called for petrol pumps to close on Friday. However, another faction within the association preferred to negotiate further with the government before committing to an indefinite strike.
PPDA Secretary General Noman Ali Butt dismissed reports of a nationwide strike, ensuring that the supply of petroleum products would continue uninterrupted. "The dealers' association did not announce a strike, just a few elements gave the strike call. Talks with the government are underway, and the authorities have assured us that our grievances will be addressed," he said.
Also read: Petrol price increased by Rs7.45 per litre in Pakistan
PPDA Spokesperson Hasan Shah emphasised the importance of negotiations over strikes. "We have protested in the past as well. We have also blocked D-Chowk and Faizabad Interchange. We have protested outside the National Assembly and Senate. However, negotiations are still the best option and strikes should be the last resort,” he stated.
In Karachi, while a number of petrol pumps remained closed on Friday morning, several stations, particularly on University Road and Sharea Faisal, continued their operations. In Lahore, fuel stations did not observe the strike. The Petroleum Dealers Association Punjab confirmed that despite unsuccessful negotiations with the government, they would not shut down petrol pumps just yet.
In Lodhran, petrol pump owners continued to sell fuel across the city, distancing themselves from the strike call.
The Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and the Petroleum Division assured the public that petroleum products would remain available nationwide, noting that there were sufficient supplies. "The concerns of the PPDA have also been taken up with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Finance Division for consideration," they stated on Thursday.
In a joint statement, OGRA and the Petroleum Division advised all Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to ensure adequate supplies of petroleum products at petrol pumps and to keep them open. They announced the establishment of a monitoring cell in the DG (Oil) office to oversee the fuel supply situation and coordinate with stakeholders during the strike call. Additionally, OGRA will mobilise its monitoring teams to oversee the situation and take necessary actions.
Provincial chief secretaries have been requested to take appropriate measures to keep the maximum number of retail outlets open and to allow oil tankers to move during the daytime to replenish stocks at open retail sites.
