Petrol Pump Owners Oppose Daily Fuel Price Revision Plan

The All Pakistan Petroleum Pump Owners Association (APPPOA) has opposed reports suggesting that the federal government is considering the introduction of daily petroleum price revisions, warning that such a move could create further instability for fuel retailers and may lead to nationwide protests if stakeholders' concerns remain unaddressed.

In a statement issued by APPPOA Vice Chairman Nauman Ali Butt, the association expressed serious reservations over reports that the government intends to replace the existing weekly petroleum pricing mechanism with a system based on daily price adjustments.

The association stated that the proposed framework is unacceptable to petroleum pump owners, arguing that even the current weekly pricing model has already created significant operational and financial challenges for businesses operating in the retail fuel sector.

According to the APPPOA, frequent revisions in petroleum prices have complicated inventory management, disrupted financial planning, and exposed fuel station operators to stock-related losses and increased uncertainty. It warned that introducing daily price changes would further intensify these operational risks.

The association also criticised the government for reportedly considering the proposal without prior consultation with key industry stakeholders, particularly petroleum retailers. It maintained that any major policy affecting the downstream petroleum sector should be formulated only after meaningful engagement with all relevant stakeholders.

The APPPOA urged the government to withdraw the reported proposal for daily fuel price revisions and instead develop a practical pricing framework through consultation with representatives of the petroleum retail industry.

As an alternative, the association proposed adopting a monthly petroleum pricing mechanism, stating that less frequent revisions would improve business certainty, facilitate more effective inventory management, and strengthen the financial stability of fuel retailers.

The association further warned that it would announce its future course of action, including the possibility of nationwide protests and other collective industry measures, should its concerns remain unresolved.