The everyday change in petroleum prices has increased questions about whether petrol pumps will remain closed across Pakistan.
A decision on a proposed nationwide strike by petrol pumps in Pakistan has been delayed after differences emerged between petroleum dealers and petrol pump owners over whether to suspend fuel sales.
According to local reports, the Karachi Petroleum Dealers Association and the Petrol Pump Owners Association failed to reach a consensus on launching a nationwide strike. While petrol pump owners have pushed for industrial action, petroleum dealers have so far stopped short of endorsing the proposal.
The Petroleum Dealers Association has called an executive committee meeting for Wednesday to consult dealers from across the country before deciding its next course of action.
Sources said the meeting would consider whether to proceed with a nationwide strike or adopt other forms of protest. The association is also expected to discuss a seven-day period granted by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for resolving the issues.
The association said the government had assured dealers that their concerns would be addressed and had requested one week to resolve the matter. As a result, no immediate decision had been taken to launch a countrywide strike.
It added that a final decision would be made only after consultations with dealers nationwide and would then be formally communicated to OGRA.
Petroleum dealers warned that if the government failed to fulfil its commitments within the agreed timeframe, they would consider further protest options, including a nationwide strike.
The disagreement between petrol pump owners and petroleum dealers has left the situation uncertain, with attention now focused on Wednesday’s meeting, where a decision on possible industrial action is expected.
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