The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has given the government a 72-hour deadline to address its demands, warning of an indefinite nationwide shutdown of petrol pumps from 6am on August 15 if no agreement is reached.
PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh said dealers had unanimously demanded an increase in their petrol margin to 8 per cent, arguing that the existing commission was insufficient to cover rising operating costs.
He said more than 14,000 dealers were facing financial difficulties due to the daily fuel price mechanism, which had resulted in inventory losses, reduced working capital and increased financial pressure on the retail sector.
The association also criticised the government’s Company Allocation Policy, calling it discriminatory and demanding that it be reviewed and made more transparent and equitable.
The PPDA chairman said the government had previously sought a postponement of strike action and assured dealers that their concerns would be resolved within two weeks, but the issues remained unresolved.
The association warned that petrol stations would remain closed until its demands were accepted.
