Advance tax: petroleum dealers threaten nationwide strike

KARACHI: The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has warned of a nationwide strike on July 5 if the advance tax is not withdrawn.

Chairman Abdul Sami Khan, during a press conference, expressed concerns over the 0.5 per cent advance turnover tax imposed in the Finance Bill.

He stated that this tax makes it impossible to run petrol pump businesses and demanded its immediate removal. Otherwise, the petroleum dealers will have no choice but to shut down operations and go on strike . He also criticized the oil marketing companies for prioritizing their interests.

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Khan further stated that the government is imposing taxes on everything, causing a decrease in sales for petroleum dealers. He accused the government of supporting smuggling and mentioned receiving threats for speaking out against it.

He highlighted that taxes are already being imposed on every transaction of sold goods at the time of purchase. The Prime Minister has expressed his helplessness regarding the imposition of taxes.

Khan also mentioned that petrol pumps are already being operated on extremely low-profit margins. He warned that the levy will further increase inflation, and the additional burden of the advance tax will negatively impact their businesses.

The implementation of the advance tax will also place an extra burden on the commercial sector, he said.