Energy Minister Hammad Azhar stated on Thursday (25 November) that the government would not submit to the “illegitimate demands” of the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) for a higher margin.
The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has scheduled a strike for today (Thursday) until indefinitely to seek an increase in the margin on the sale of petroleum products a day earlier.
In a statement, Hammad Azhar claimed that under the guise of the strike, some forces wanted the government to enhance profit margins on petroleum goods by Rs9 per liter.
The minister noted that a summary relating to the increase in profit merging of petroleum dealers had already been sent to the Economic Coordination Committee and that the topic will be decided at the ECC’s next meeting.
Moreover, the minister added, “Profit margin could not be increased by Rs9 per liter to appease few companies.” The government is aware of the issues faced by petrol station owners, according to the minister, who also stated that the government will recognize the dealers’ legal claims.
He encouraged petrol station owners to consider the plight of the people and reconsider their choice.
Long lines, brawls, and traffic bottlenecks were seen at gas pump stations across Pakistan earlier today, as the petroleum dealers’ strike spurred panic purchasing.
The Petroleum Dealers Association secretary had said Wednesday, “Petrol pumps across the country will remain closed today. The government did not accept our demands. Till the government does not increase the dealers’ margin to 6%, we will not negotiate with them.”
He claimed that the government had promised to meet the needs of the dealers, but that it had yet to do so.
Some large oil marketing businesses, on the other hand, have indicated that they will keep their stores open.
As per the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum products will be available at PSO, Hesco, GO, and Shell pumps in the country tomorrow (Thursday).
