Negotiations between petroleum dealers and the government have failed, with dealers announcing an indefinite nationwide strike from 6 am on Saturday, August 15. The atmosphere remained tense during talks with Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik.
The negotiations, led by Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh, continued for five hours. The federal minister expressed displeasure over the 72-hour ultimatum issued by the petroleum dealers. According to the chairman of the Petroleum Dealers Association, the government refused to reconsider the system of daily fluctuations in petroleum product prices during the talks. However, the government assured the dealers that their demand for an increase of Rs. 1.34 in the dealers’ margin would be discussed, although approval would be subject to a decision by the federal cabinet.
According to the association, the petroleum dealers’ delegation immediately returned to Karachi following the meeting with the federal minister and called an emergency meeting of its executive committee in Karachi. Representatives of the petroleum dealers said they remained committed to their decision to begin the strike on Saturday morning.
In addition to Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association delegation included Vice Chairman Tariq Hassan, Vice Chairman Anwar Kamal, Sindh President Amir Khan, Punjab Vice Chairman Raja Waseem, Chaudhry Baher, Khawaja Kashif Elahi, Abdul Majid Khan from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and others.
It is worth mentioning here that following a nationwide wheel-jam strike by goods transporters, petroleum dealers have announced that they will shut down fuel stations across the country from August 15. Speaking at a press conference alongside other office-bearers, Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh said petrol pumps would remain closed indefinitely from 6 am on August 15.
He said the decision was taken after a meeting of petroleum dealers from across the country. Khuda Bakhsh said the association had given the government a 72-hour ultimatum to address their demands. He warned that dealers would not be able to continue operating their businesses if their demands were not accepted.