TANK: The All Petrol Pump Association of Tank district on Monday announced a complete shutdown of all filling stations in the district from today (Tuesday) in protest against the armed robbery incident and growing security concerns.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the All Petrol Pump Association which was held under the chairmanship of the union president, Saddam Hussain.Speaking after the meeting, the elders said that they had given a 24-hour ultimatum to the deputy commissioner and the police to recover the looted money and arrest the culprits. However, with no arrests made and no recovery of the stolen amount, they said, they decided to go on an indefinite strike.
The association said that this was the fifth armed robbery targeting petrol pump owners in the district, with losses amounting to millions of rupees. They strongly criticised the worsening law and order situation in Tank, attributing it to the alleged incompetence and corruption of Deputy Commissioner Tanveer.
According to the association, the DC has been involved in opening unauthorized fuel agencies across the district, severely affecting the business of legitimate petrol pump owners.
The union members warned that if their demands were not met, the strike would expand beyond Tank district to the division, province, and eventually the entire country. They confirmed that petrol pump associations across the region have assured their support for the protest.
They appealed to Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, and other high-ranking officials to take immediate action for the recovery of the stolen amount and the arrest of the culprits.
