Petrol Pumps Across Pakistan To Shut From August 15

Petrol pump dealers across Pakistan have announced an indefinite nationwide shutdown from August 15, demanding an increase in their petrol sales margin and warning that stations will remain closed unless the government resolves the issue.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh after a meeting involving dealers from across the country.

Baksh said the association had given the government a 72-hour deadline to settle the matter, adding that the strike would continue until the dealers’ demands were accepted.

The dealers are demanding an 8% margin on petrol. Baksh said pressure from the association’s nearly 14,000 members had made it increasingly difficult for the leadership to delay further action.

“Our patience has run out,” Baksh said.

The development comes as goods transporters continue their nationwide wheel-jam strike, following unsuccessful negotiations with the government over their demands.

All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan said talks with representatives of the federal and Sindh governments had failed to deliver meaningful progress, and transporters would maintain their strike.

Petrol dealers had earlier postponed their planned shutdown following talks with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik on July 22. At that time, the association agreed to defer the strike for two weeks after receiving assurances that its longstanding concerns would be addressed.

According to Baksh, that deadline has now passed without a satisfactory resolution.

He said the association had formally notified the government that its 14,000 members were demanding immediate action over the margin issue.

Baksh added that dealers had previously withdrawn their strike call because they believed the government was genuinely committed to resolving the dispute.

The association has also expressed reservations about the daily petroleum pricing mechanism, particularly the process used to determine fuel prices.

In a letter sent to the petroleum minister on August 7, the association’s vice chairman called for a review of the daily fuel pricing system and highlighted delays in implementing earlier commitments made between the government and petrol station owners.

The association has now announced that petrol stations across Pakistan will remain shut indefinitely from August 15 until their demands are addressed.