Non-registered petroleum dealers given 2 weeks to get licences

Non-registered dealers will be subjected to higher GST payments.

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minster Ishaq Dar responded to requests made by the Petroleum Dealers Association (PDA) and suspended General Sales Tax (GST) payments for 2 weeks, for all unregistered petroleum dealers on Tuesday, Express News reported.

He said that this time should be used by these dealers to obtain licences as non-registered dealers will have to pay the increased 19% GST as opposed to the 17% for registered dealers after the suspension period is over.

The government had earlier imposed 19% GST on non-registered petrol pumps causing a third time increase in oil prices, this month, up to Rs2.70 per litre.

According to a senior government official, 95% of the petrol pumps in the country remain unregistered and the increase in GST has led to a hike in oil prices for majority of the consumers across the country. Currently, the new price of petrol stands at Rs102.35, HSD – Rs107.30, HOBC – Rs139.10, kerosene oil – Rs96.19 and LDO – Rs91.44 per litre.