Petroleum dealers’ strike: pumps to remain shut across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Dealers have announced a nationwide strike and shutdown of petrol pumps on July 5 after negotiations between the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers’ Association (PPDA) and the government have collapsed.

PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan announced that petrol pumps nationwide will be closed starting July 5. He noted that the strike might be symbolic but emphasised the seriousness of their demands.

He said that the PPDA has demanded that the government immediately withdraw the advance income tax within four days.

The PPDA announced the strike as a protest against the imposition of a 0.5 per cent advance turnover tax in the new budget.

Khan stated that he along with a delegation met with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Amjad Zubair Tiwana and Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority Chairman Masroor Khan in Islamabad.

He said that the association expressed its objections to the imposition of double tax, which they deemed unacceptable.

“The meeting ended without any resolution,” Khan said. “As a result, we will proceed with our protest and shut down the pumps. This tax is not something we can accept.” He said that dealers have been told to ensure petrol stock availability at pumps until July 4.

Khan further warned that pumps nationwide would start running dry from tomorrow night. He stressed that no negotiations would take place until the government withdraws the 0.5 per cent tax decision. He urged citizens to fill their cars and motorcycles with fuel in anticipation of the shutdown.

On the previous day, Khan announced that petrol pumps would remain closed on July 5, citing financial losses and the unacceptability of double taxation.

“Running petrol pumps at a loss is not feasible,” he said. “If this tax is imposed, we will be forced to close the petrol pumps, and if our business suffers, we will take strict measures.”

Also read: Transporters increase fares following hike in petroleum prices

He also raised concerns about the smuggling of Iranian oil into the country, stating that their appeals for action had gone unheard. He called for an agreement with Iran and the imposition of taxes on Iranian oil to curb smuggling, emphasising that it is the government’s responsibility to address this issue