Petroleum dealers threaten to strike – Pakistan

KARACHI: Petroleum dealers in Pakistan have warned against shutting down their operations as the government is reportedly moving to deregulate the prices of petroleum products.

In a statement, Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) chairman Abdul Sami Khan rejected this likely move and said it will result in higher prices of petroleum products in remote areas.

According to the head of the PPDA, the move to deregulate oil prices will cause skyrocketing inflation in the country.

Khan said the petroleum dealers have been pushing against this measure for years and the government has also promised not to take such a measure.

However, the PPDA chairman said that despite the promise, the government has sought recommendations from the ECC on the possible plan.

Khan claimed that by taking such a step, the government was trying to save itself from criticism from the people.

Days earlier, the Oil Tankers Owners Association announced that fuel supplies would remain suspended from April 16, against what it called an “unjust” measurement by the authorities concerned.

The association said it would not supply petroleum products in Gilgit Baltistan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, or even at all airports across the country.