The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the government over its failure to fulfill promises made by the Petroleum Minister to resolve their issues.
Speaking at a press conference, PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh, along with Vice Chairman Tariq Hassan, Anwar Kamal, Malik Sher Khan, Sindh Region President Haji Ameer Khan, Karachi President Saeed Khan and other office-bearers, said that petroleum dealers would not be able to continue their businesses if the government failed to accept their demands.
Malik Khuda Bakhsh said that, following a meeting of dealers from across the country, it had been jointly decided to demand an 8 percent margin on petrol. He said the dealers’ patience had run out and that more than 14,000 members were pressuring the association to take action.
He warned that if the government failed to meet their demands within 72 hours, petrol pumps across the country would shut down indefinitely from 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15. He added that the businesses would not reopen until their demands were fulfilled.
The PPDA chairman said that during a recent meeting, the association’s Executive Committee had expressed serious concerns over the newly introduced “24-hour fuel price change mechanism,” calling it impractical and harmful to the routine business operations of petrol pumps. Members unanimously maintained that the current system was creating administrative difficulties and financial uncertainty for petroleum dealers.
Malik Khuda Bakhsh once again reiterated the demand that the dealers’ commission be fixed at a minimum of 8 percent of the retail sale price, saying that the existing commission was insufficient to cover rising inflation, electricity and gas expenses, employees’ salaries and other operational costs.
Earlier, the PPDA Executive Committee meeting had also strongly criticized the “Company Allocation Policy,” describing it as discriminatory and contrary to the business interests of dealers. The association demanded that the policy be reviewed immediately and made transparent and fair.
Malik Khuda Bakhsh said, “We are giving the government a final 72-hour deadline to resolve our issues. If our legitimate demands are not addressed within this period, we will have no option but to shut down fuel stations across the country.”
However, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association reiterated its commitment to constructive dialogue with the government, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), oil marketing companies and other relevant institutions.
The association nevertheless made it clear that immediate and practical measures are essential to protect the rights of petroleum dealers and ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel across the country.
