Petrol pump dealers threaten nationwide shutdown over unresolved issues

The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has announced plans for an indefinite countrywide strike, warning that petrol pumps across Pakistan could shut down if their demands remain unmet. The association said the protest decision was taken after repeated appeals to the government failed to resolve the concerns of fuel station owners.

According to representatives of the dealers, the strike may begin after Eid if negotiations with authorities do not produce a satisfactory outcome. They maintain that operating costs have risen sharply, making it increasingly difficult for petrol pump owners to continue business under the current profit margins.

Association leaders stressed that the dealers’ margin has not been revised despite mounting expenses such as electricity bills, wages and other operational costs. They argued that the existing structure leaves many fuel station operators struggling to remain financially viable.

The association has urged the government to take immediate steps to address these issues, warning that a prolonged shutdown of petrol pumps could disrupt fuel availability across the country and create difficulties for the public.