Oil tankers association ends strike

ISLAMABAD: The Oil Tankers Owners’ Association announced end to its strike on Tuesday, signaling the resumption of oil supply following successful negotiations with the federal government after the authorities pledged to address the association’s demands.

Sources revealed that talks between the government and the oil tanker owners’ associations concluded positively, resulting in the decision to end the strike.

Following fruitful discussions between the Oil Tanker Owners Association and the Islamabad District Administration, a meeting is slated within 10 days with the petroleum secretary to address grievances.

On Monday, the Association had declared a suspension of fuel supply starting Tuesday, citing what it perceived as unfair practices by authorities. Petroleum product supply was to be halted in various regions, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) as well as to airports.

Among the demands was the implementation of a metered system for filling. The association alleged that authorities had violated the agreement reached on February 20, leading to the standoff.

On Tuesday, supply to several regions, including Islamabad, Peshawar, Gilgit, Skardu, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Azad Kashmir, was halted, with the association asserting that their demands remained unmet and supply would only resume upon adherence to the February 20 agreement.

The issue had reportedly been raised with the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and the Ministry of Petroleum on multiple occasions.

Earlier in 2023, prolonged strikes had posed challenges to oil supply, with oil companies highlighting scarcity and urging government intervention to avert crises.