KARACHI: Pakistan’s petroleum dealers on Tuesday gave the government 72 hours to address their demands, warning that fuel stations across the country will shut indefinitely from Aug. 15 if their concerns are not resolved.
The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) issued the warning during a press conference in Karachi, saying dealers could no longer continue their businesses under the current conditions.
PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh, along with other association officials, said dealers from across Pakistan had agreed to demand an 8% margin on petrol. He said more than 14,000 members were pushing the association to take action.
“If our legitimate demands are not addressed within this period, we will have no option but to shut down fuel stations across the country,” Khuda Bakhsh said.
One of the main issues raised by the association is the newly introduced 24 hour fuel price change system. The PPDA Executive Committee described the system as difficult to manage and harmful to the daily operations of petrol stations.
Association members said frequent price changes have created additional administrative work and financial uncertainty for dealers. The association also criticized the company allocation policy, calling it unfair and harmful to the interests of petroleum dealers.
The PPDA called for an immediate review of the policy and demanded a system that is transparent and fair to all dealers. Despite the warning of a nationwide shutdown, the association said it remains willing to hold talks with the government, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), oil marketing companies and other relevant institutions.
The dealers said they prefer a solution through negotiations but stressed that immediate action is needed to protect their businesses. The association also warned that resolving the dispute quickly is important to prevent disruption to fuel supplies across Pakistan.
