- Lahore petrol stations decide not to strike.
- Punjab dealers say they will not close petrol pumps.
- Lodhran petrol station owners disassociate themselves from the strike.
Petrol stations across the country observed a partial strike on Friday as oil distributors remained divided over the call for a strike against the 0.5% turnover tax imposed in the 2024-25 federal budget.
Pakistan Petroleum Traders Association (PPDA) Chairman Abdul Sami Khan said a day ago News that gas stations would remain closed on Friday.
However, a group of optimistic leaders of the association announced that they would not support the strike because they wanted to hold another round of talks with the authorities before carrying out an indefinite strike.
PPDA Secretary General Noman Ali Butt dismissed reports of a nationwide strike and said the supply of petroleum products would remain normal in the country.
“The merchants' association has not announced a strike, only some elements have called for a strike. Talks are underway with the government and the authorities have assured that they will address our complaints,” he said.
Meanwhile, PPDA spokesperson Hasan Shah told the oil traders, “We have protested in the past as well. We have also blocked the D-Chowk and Faizabad junction.
“We have protested in front of the National Assembly and the Senate. However, negotiations remain the best option and strikes should be the last resort.”
Meanwhile, a large number of petrol stations in Karachi remained closed on Friday morning, however, some were still functioning normally, particularly at University Road and Sharea Faisal.
While petrol stations in Lahore did not directly observe the strike, the Punjab Petroleum Traders Association said that despite the collapse of negotiations with the government, they would not close the petrol pumps yet.
Petrol station owners in Lodhran also continued to sell fuel across the city, although they disassociated themselves from the strike.
Meanwhile, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and the Petroleum Division announced that petroleum products will be made available across the country, highlighting the availability of sufficient petroleum products.
“The concerns of the PPDA have also been taken to the FBR and the Finance Division for consideration,” they said on Thursday.
In a joint statement, they said all oil marketing companies (OMCs) have been advised to ensure adequate supplies of petroleum products at petrol stations and keep them open.
They said that a monitoring cell has been set up at the office of DG (Petroleum) to monitor the fuel supply position and coordinate among the stakeholders during the strike call by petroleum dealers, while OGRA will also mobilize its monitoring teams to monitor the situation and take corrective actions.
According to the statement, all provincial chief secretaries have been asked to take appropriate measures to keep maximum number of retail outlets open.
They have also been asked to allow movement of tankers during the day to replenish stocks at open outlets.
