Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance (PGTA) President Malik Shahzad Awan has warned that transporters across the country should remain prepared, as a nationwide strike could be announced at any time.
Awan rejected the government’s decision to introduce daily revisions in petrol and diesel prices, saying the policy, coupled with the continuous increase in diesel prices, would severely affect the transport sector.
He said the government’s policies were forcing transporters towards a nationwide shutdown, adding that if the authorities failed to review their decisions, transporters would have no option but to launch a countrywide strike.
Awan urged transporters nationwide to stay ready, saying a strike call could be issued at any moment.
He also criticised what he described as anti-transporter policies, claiming that neither the federal nor provincial governments had provided any relief to the goods transport sector. He called on chambers of commerce and business federations to play their role in resolving the issue.
The PGTA chief stressed that Pakistan’s economy largely depends on diesel-powered transportation and urged the government to reduce diesel prices. He also demanded the withdrawal of recent increases in toll tax and withholding tax.
The warning comes after the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) began implementing a daily petroleum pricing mechanism from yesterday.
Petroleum dealers support new daily fuel price system
On the other hand, petroleum dealers have welcomed the government’s plan to introduce daily fuel prices on Monday. They have also announced their support for the new policy.
The announcement came during a meeting between Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and a delegation from the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA). The two sides discussed the proposed changes to the petroleum pricing system.
The minister said the new daily fuel pricing system will be based on a seven day rolling average. He said the previous weekly system was also based on a seven-day average.
Ali Pervaiz Malik said the new system will make fuel pricing more transparent. He added that it will help prevent market manipulation and fuel hoarding.
He said the government will include the dealers’ suggestions while preparing the new rules.
The minister also said a meeting between the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) and OGRA will be held tomorrow to discuss dealers’ margins and other issues.
He said the government wants to build a transparent, competitive and consumer-friendly petroleum market. He also thanked the dealers for supporting the government’s reform plans.
Also read: OGRA announces new petrol, diesel prices in Pakistan today
