Petrol dealers call off 15-day shutdown after government agrees to review daily fuel pricing

Petrol pumps across Pakistan have reopened after the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association withdrew its call for a 15-day nationwide strike. The decision came after successful talks with the government.

The president of the Petroleum Dealers Association said the government has agreed to review the proposed system of changing petroleum product prices every day. He claimed that the authorities understood the concerns raised by petrol dealers.

The association said the plan to introduce daily changes in petrol and diesel prices has been put on hold for now. It also said the government has promised to issue a summary on dealers’ profit margins within the next 15 days.

Petroleum Dealers Association President Humayun Khan thanked the government for listening to their concerns. He said the association decided to withdraw the strike after receiving assurances that its genuine demands would be addressed.

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Meanwhile, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has increased petrol and diesel prices for the fourth consecutive day, adding further pressure on consumers already facing rising fuel costs.

The petrol dealers had earlier announced a nationwide strike after rejecting the government’s proposal for daily changes in petroleum product prices. As a result, petrol pumps had been closed since yesterday before the latest agreement was reached.