Following an increase in petroleum product prices, the Oil Tanker Contractors Association has threatened to go on strike to demand higher transportation fares.
President of the Oil Tanker Contractors Association, Abdullah Afridi, stated that no oil tanker would be loaded tomorrow, saying it is no longer possible to operate under the current freight rates.
He warned that tanker owners are facing severe financial losses and that keeping vehicles idle is better than operating at a loss.
Afridi said that a strike by oil tankers could disrupt fuel supply in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and other regions.
He said the association has been in contact with authorities for the past week and has repeatedly reached out to Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz, sending several letters and requesting negotiations, but no positive progress has been made so far.
The association’s president further stated that changes in pipeline quotas are negatively affecting tanker owners. He said that if their demands are not accepted, the association will announce a nationwide strike and protests, urging tanker owners to keep their vehicles off the roads and participate in demonstrations.
The development came after the government increased petrol prices in Pakistan, with rates going up to Rs458.40 per litre.
The diesel prices have been increased to Rs520.35 paisa. The new prices will be applicable from today.
The petrol price has increased by Rs136.83 per litre. Additionally, high-speed diesel price increased by Rs184.14 per litre.
Previously, the price of petrol was Rs322 per litre. In addition, a petrol subsidy of Rs100 has also been announced for motorcycle users.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik held an important press conference yesterday to discuss the current petroleum pricing situation.
During the press conference, the Finance Minister said that the new prices of petroleum products will be implemented from today.
The Petroleum Minister said that the fire of war has engulfed the entire world, and the government has no role in creating the storm.
He said that a subsidy of Rs129 billion has been given since March 1, and despite this subsidy, it has been decided to increase the prices of petroleum products.
This is because the IMF had stopped giving subsidies on petroleum products.
The Petroleum Minister further said that the Prime Minister decided to ground 60 per cent of the vehicles.
