The government has increased the petroleum dealers’ margin by Rs. 1.34 per litre, bringing the total margin to Rs. 10 per litre. After receiving the Rs. 1.34 increase, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA), which had demanded an 8% margin, has postponed its strike.
Speaking at an emergency press conference in Karachi, PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh said that following the tense negotiations in Islamabad yesterday, the Petroleum Minister contacted him by telephone and informed him that the Prime Minister had approved an increase of Rs. 1.34 in the dealers’ margin. He added that the Prime Minister’s summary had also been forwarded to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).
He further shared that a new summary has been sent to the Prime Minister regarding changes in petroleum product prices. According to the proposal, due to a reduction in the intensity of the conflict in the Middle East, petroleum product prices may once again be revised every 7 or 15 days rather than daily.
The press conference was also attended by PPDA Vice Chairman Malik Sher Khan, Tariq Hassan, Anwar Kamal, Karachi Division President Saeed Khan, and other representatives.
Malik Khuda Bakhsh said that a joint committee has been formed to consider the dealers’ demand for an 8% margin and will submit its report within 30 days.
The PPDA chairman said the association had postponed Saturday’s planned strike in response to the government’s assurances. However, he warned that the association would continue its protest until all of its demands were accepted.
Vice Chairman Tariq Hassan said that because dealers had not received an increase in their margin for the past three years, approximately US$50 million belonging to petroleum dealers remains outstanding with the government.
Vice Chairman Anwar Kamal said that the government has given all petrol pumps across Pakistan until March 23, 2027, to complete the digitization process, with the responsibility placed on Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
He stated that out of approximately 14,000 petrol pumps across the country, only 10% have been digitized so far.
