Petroleum dealers strike: Several petrol pumps closed in Karachi

Due to the announcement of a strike by the Petroleum Dealers Association, there is a rush at petrol pumps while several are closed in Karachi.

After the announcement of strike by petroleum dealers, petrol pumps are open in Lahore and the supply of petrol continues.

The Petroleum Division and OGRA have said that petrol pumps across the country will remain open as usual today while oil marketing companies have been directed to keep pumps open and ensure supply.

The Petroleum Dealers Association in Punjab has said that negotiations with the government have not been successful, yet they will not observe strike today.

Earlier, Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has announced a nationwide strike from July 5 after talks with the government failed to reach consensus.

The petroleum dealers are demanding the withdrawal of the advance income tax imposed in the budget 2024-25.

Abdul Sami Khan, President of the PPDA, warned that the additional tax burden would force dealers to close their businesses, citing minimal profits and high inflation.

The PPDA had met with the finance minister, the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) but failed to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

The strike’s duration is uncertain, with Khan hinting that it may last more than a day.

The dealers announced a strike after which the petrol pumps across the country will be closed from 6 am on July 05.

What are their demands?

The PPDA demands the withdrawal of advance income tax, which they claim is a violation of the Constitution.

The association said that the tax would exacerbate the already challenging conditions faced by petrol pump owners, forcing many to shut down their businesses.