Petrol dealers to go on 'indefinite strike' on Saturday after talks with govt fail

The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) said on Thursday that negotiations with the government had failed, prompting petroleum dealers to begin an indefinite nationwide strike from August 15.

According to a statement by PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh, the government refused during the negotiations to change the system of daily adjustments in petroleum product prices. However, it assured the dealers that it would discuss an increase of Rs1.34 in their margin, subject to approval by the federal cabinet.

“In view of the federal petroleum minister’s behaviour, the petroleum dealers’ delegation immediately left for Karachi and also called an emergency meeting of its executive committee,” the statement said.

The statement said representatives of petroleum dealers remained committed to their decision to begin the strike from Saturday morning.

Nationwide goods transport strike to continue as talks with govt fail

Meanwhile, All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance President Malik Shahzad Awan said talks between the federal and Sindh governments and the alliance had failed, with transporters vowing to continue their nationwide strike until their demands were accepted and a formal notification was issued.

“The federal government and Sindh government are not serious. Our nationwide strike will continue until our demands are approved,” Awan said, adding that the strike had continued across Pakistan for six days.

“We will not be swayed by any assurances from the federal or provincial governments,” he said.

Awan urged transporters across Pakistan to “remain peaceful and not block roads anywhere”.

Read: Dealers seek 8% margin amid daily fuel pricing

Petroleum dealers in Pakistan on Tuesday announced a nationwide shutdown of petrol pumps from August 15 for an indefinite period, after giving the government a 72-hour ultimatum and warning that dealers would not be able to continue operating petrol pumps if their demands were not accepted.

On July 22, All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPOA) postponed its planned nationwide shutdown for two weeks following successful negotiations with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, who assured dealers that their long-pending concerns would be addressed.

APPPOA had also urged the Ministry of Petroleum to review the existing mechanism for determining fuel prices, expressing concern over delays in implementing decisions agreed between the government and petrol pump owners. In a letter to the petroleum minister sent on August 7, the association’s vice chairman called for a review of the policy under which fuel prices are determined on a daily basis.