Govt ‘averts’ petroleum crisis for time being

Petroleum Dealers Association agrees to not close pumps on Nov 5

ISLAMABAD:

The threat pertaining to closure of petrol pumps throughout the country has been averted after matters between the government and Petroleum Dealers Association were settled on Wednesday.

Petroleum Minister Hammad Azhar, petroleum secretary, DG Oil and OGRA chairman held detailed talks with the delegation of the Petroleum Dealers Association (PDA).

During the six-hour talks, the government agreed to increase the margin of petroleum dealers by 6 per cent.

Separately, a committee headed by the petroleum secretary was also formed to implement the decision to raise the margin of dealers.

The committee will update the dealers after getting approval from the federal cabinet and Economic Coordination Committee about the aforementioned increase.

On the occasion, PDA officials informed reporters that the strike call had been temporarily withdrawn and it will not take place on November 5.

However, if the government does not fulfill its promise by November 17 then a strike will be called for an indefinite period from November 20 across the country.

Last week, Prime Minister Imran Khan had rejected a summary sent by OGRA via the finance ministry regarding an increase in petroleum prices due to the rising inflation in the country.

The premier had maintained that it was imperative to provide relief to the masses especially after the last price hike in petroleum products during the month of October that had instilled anger in the general public.

Shortly after PM Imran’s decision of not increasing petrol prices, the PDA had threatened to shut down petrol pumps in the entire country.

They had demanded that the government should increase their margin by at least 6 per cent. The proposal is currently under consideration by the cabinet and ECC.