A strike by petrol pump owners across Pakistan began on Friday after negotiations between the All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association and the government over a new tax failed to reach a resolution.
The All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association is protesting against the government’s implementation of a 0.5% advance turnover tax on petroleum products. The association argues that the tax will place a significant burden on their businesses and has demanded its withdrawal.
The government, however, has remained steadfast in its position, stating that the tax is necessary to generate revenue.
The deadlock in negotiations prompted the Association to call for a nationwide strike, with petrol pumps across the country closing their doors. While the strike was not observed in Islamabad due to the recent passing of the Association’s vice president in Punjab, the association has confirmed that all petrol pumps across the country will remain closed until further notice.
The strike has led to long queues at petrol stations across the country as motorists scrambled to fill their tanks before the pumps closed. The Association has warned that the strike could be extended if their demands are not met.
Despite the ongoing strike, the Petroleum Division and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) have assured the public that there is sufficient supply of petroleum products in the country. OGRA spokesperson Imran Ghaznavi stated that all oil marketing companies have been instructed to ensure adequate supply to petrol stations and keep them open.
However, some petrol pump owners in Lahore have expressed their opposition to the strike, advocating for a negotiated solution instead.
The situation remains tense, with the Association threatening to extend the strike if their demands are not met. The government has yet to respond to the association’s demands, leaving the future of the strike uncertain
Petroleum products will be available nationwide, says govt after dealers strike call
The All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (APPEDA) has postponed its strike in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi following the passing of the association’s vice president, Qazi Khalid.
All petrol pumps in the twin cities will remain open. The strike will continue in other cities across Pakistan.
Residents of Karachi are facing difficulties due to the ongoing strike by petrol pump owners protesting against the implementation of a double taxation policy.
Petrol pumps across the city began closing their doors last night in support of the strike. Many stations have been closed with banners and signs, while others remain open with long queues of vehicles waiting for fuel.
The Association had announced a nationwide strike on July 5th, with 13,000 petrol pumps closing their doors in protest against the government’s implementation of an advance turnover tax.
Speaking to the media last night, Association President Abdul Sami said that the association had repeatedly requested the government to withdraw the tax but their demands were ignored. He stated that no further negotiations would take place until the government revoked the tax and that all 14,000 dealers across the country would be shutting down their petrol pumps at 6 am today.
However, Association spokesperson Hassan Shah has refuted the strike call by some Karachi dealers, claiming that they are more concerned with the interests of oil marketing companies than their own community.
Petrol pumps in Peshawar are closed today in response to a strike call issued by the All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association.
Fuel supply has been suspended at pumps across the city, including those on Ring Road and GT Road. However, PSO pumps continue to provide fuel.
