Citizens flock to petrol pumps following closure announcement

ISLAMABAD: Citizens are rushing to petrol pumps to fill up their car tanks, fearing an imminent shutdown. Long queues were observed at several petrol stations as people brace for a potential fuel shortage on Friday.

The panic ensued after the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) announced the closure of all fuel stations starting July 5, following unsuccessful negotiations with the government regarding the advance tax issue. The PPDA’s chairman, Abdul Sami Khan, stated, “We met with government officials in Islamabad, but the talks produced no results. Hence, we will go on strike as announced earlier.”

Petroleum dealers are demanding the withdrawal of the advance income tax imposed in the 2024-25 budget. They argue that the new tax would devastate their business, which is already operating on thin profit margins amidst high inflation.

As of 11:00 PM, numerous motorcycles and cars were seen lining up at petrol stations in Islamabad. Citizens are anxious about how they will commute to work and other places if the fuel supply is halted.

The PPDA chairman indicated that over 13,000 petrol stations would close from 6 AM on July 5, and the strike could extend further if their demands are not met. He urged owners and operators of retail outlets to reserve their stocks for July 4 in anticipation of the strike.

This looming crisis has left citizens worried and scrambling to secure fuel before the shutdown, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution between the government and the petroleum dealers.

However, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has confirmed that there is an abundant supply of petroleum products across the country. OGRA has directed oil marketing companies to keep petrol pumps operational and ensure uninterrupted supply.

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