The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has given the government a 72-hour ultimatum to accept their demands, warning of an indefinite nationwide shutdown of petrol pumps from August 15 if their issues are not resolved.
What Happened
PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh, along with Vice Chairman Anwar Kamal, Amir Khan, Tariq Hassan and other officials, announced the decision during a press conference. The decision was made after an executive committee meeting, citing increasing pressure from 14,000 petroleum dealers across the country.
Khuda Bakhsh stated that the government was initially given a two-week deadline, which has now expired. “We had postponed the strike 15 days ago in good faith, thinking the government was serious,” he said.
The Ultimatum
Vice Chairman Tariq Hassan clarified that the 72-hour ultimatum will expire on Saturday, August 15, at 6am. If the dealers’ demands are not met, petrol pumps across the country will be shut down indefinitely from that time.
“We will not resume business until our demands are met,” Hassan stated.
Dealer Demands
The association has presented a five-point agenda, including:
- Dealer Commission: Demand for 8 percent commission on petrol
- 24-Hour Price Mechanism: Changes to the daily pricing system
- Company Allotment Policy: Revision of allocation policies
Key Issues
Khuda Bakhsh explained that the primary issue is the daily price determination mechanism, which is depleting their working capital. “The daily price determination is causing our working capital to disappear,” he said.
The Vice Chairman expressed frustration over the government’s approach, asking, “Why does the government consider us so insignificant that only MNAs should be part of the committee?”
Background
The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions in the transport sector. Goods transporters are already on strike, creating supply chain concerns across the country. The Pakistan Textile Council has appealed to the Prime Minister for immediate intervention in the goods transport strike.
PPDA officials noted that they had previously postponed a strike in good faith, hoping the government would address their concerns, but no significant progress has been made.
What’s Next
The government has 72 hours to respond to the dealers’ demands. If no agreement is reached, petrol pumps across Pakistan will shut down on August 15, potentially creating a fuel crisis for consumers and businesses. The government may attempt to engage in dialogue before the deadline expires.
Conclusion
The petroleum dealers’ ultimatum represents a significant challenge for the government as it grapples with multiple sectoral disputes. With goods transporters already on strike, a potential petrol pump shutdown could further strain the economy and disrupt daily life for millions of Pakistanis.
