In a significant development, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has declared a nationwide strike starting July 22, with indefinite duration, raising concerns over a possible scarcity of petrol across the country.
The decision to stage the strike was taken due to the PPDA’s mounting losses resulting from the sale of smuggled petrol and diesel from Iran. Abdul Sami Khan, the Chairman of PPDA, highlighted the severe financial implications the association is facing because of the illegal import and sale of petroleum products. As a means to alleviate their situation, the PPDA is urging for a 5% increase in dealers’ commission.
Efforts to address these pressing issues have so far fallen on deaf ears. A letter was previously dispatched to the Minister of Petroleum, Musadik Malik, to draw his attention to the matter, but unfortunately, no response was received from the government.
Presently, dealers are granted a commission of 2.4 percent per litre by the government. This commission rate has proven detrimental to petrol pumps with low sales, and the problem has been further exacerbated by the surge in the illicit trade of petrol and diesel from Iran.
Considering the impending nationwide strike by petroleum dealers, it is advisable for all citizens to take precautionary measures and ensure their fuel tanks are adequately filled before the strike commences on July 22.