Petrol pumps closure? Dealers warn of indefinite strike from August 15
The dealers have warned that the shutdown could affect fuel availability if their demands are not accepted.
Dealers announce indefinite shutdown
The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association has announced that petrol pumps will remain closed from 6am on August 15 until further notice. Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh made the announcement at a press conference with other association officials.
He said the decision was taken after a meeting of dealers from across the country. The association has given the government 72 hours to accept its demands and avoid the planned shutdown.
Dealers demand higher petrol margin
The dealers are demanding an 8% margin on petrol sales, saying their concerns have not been properly addressed. Malik Khuda Bakhsh said dealers would not be able to continue business if the government failed to meet their demands.
He said their patience had run out and pressure from around 14,000 members had increased. According to him, petrol pumps would not reopen until the dealers’ demands were accepted.
Why dealers decided to act now
Malik Khuda Bakhsh said the government had earlier been given two weeks to address the issue, but that period had now ended. He said the association later informed the government through a letter that pressure from 14,000 dealers was increasing.
The chairman said dealers had withdrawn a previous strike 15 days earlier on ethical grounds. They had expected the government to take the matter seriously, but said the lack of progress had now forced them to announce another shutdown.
The announcement could create pressure on fuel supplies if the strike continues for several days. Petrol pump closures across the country could also affect commuters, businesses and transport services.
The key issue is the dealers’ demand for an 8% petrol margin. The government’s response during the 72-hour deadline will likely decide whether the shutdown goes ahead or a settlement is reached.
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