Petroleum dealers divided on strike today

ISLAMABAD: Petroleum dealers on Thursday became divided on strike over the issue of a 0.5 per cent turnover tax.

The chairman of the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, Abdul Sami Khan, told The News petrol pumps will be shut on Friday.

However, other PPDA leaders said they would not join the strike. They said they would hold negotiations with authorities before opting for an indefinite strike.

PPDA spokesperson Hasan Shah, while talking to petroleum dealers, said: “We have protested in the past as well. We have also closed D-Chowk and blocked Faizabad Interchange. We have also protested outside the National Assembly and Senate. However, negotiations are still the best option and strikes should be the last option.”

Meanwhile, Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and Petroleum Division announced that petroleum products will be available across the country, noting that there is sufficient availability of petroleum products in the country, adding, “The issues/concerns of the PPDA have also been taken up with the FBR and Finance Division for reviews/consideration.”

In a joint statement on Thursday, they said that all Oil Marketing Companies have been advised to ensure adequate supplies of petroleum products at petrol pumps and to keep them open.

They said a Monitoring Cell has been established in DG (Oil) office to monitor the fuel supply position and coordinate amongst the stakeholders during strike call of Petroleum Dealers, while OGRA will also mobilize its monitoring teams to monitor the situation and take remedial actions.

According to the statement, all provincial chief secretaries have been requested to take appropriate measures to keep the maximum retail outlets open. They have also been requested to allow oil tankers movement during day time to replenish the stocks at the open retail sites.