ISLAMABAD – Pakistan could face a fresh Fuel Crisis if petrol dealers shut stations nationwide. The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) issued the warning on Tuesday.
The association has given the government 72 hours to address its demands. It said petrol pumps could close across the country from August 15.
The proposed shutdown will begin at 6am on Saturday, August 15. Dealers said the closure would continue if no agreement is reached.
The announcement was made during a press conference in Islamabad. PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh led the briefing.
Vice Chairman Anwar Kamal also attended the press conference. Other office-bearers included Haji Amir Khan and Tariq Hassan.
Malik Khuda Bakhsh said dealers had already given the government two weeks. He claimed the deadline passed without meaningful progress on their demands.
According to the chairman, dealers avoided an earlier strike as a goodwill gesture. They hoped the government would address their concerns through negotiations.
However, he said frustration among dealers had continued to increase. The association has now decided to set a firm deadline for action.
A major demand involves the commission paid to petrol dealers. The association wants the dealer margin increased to 8 percent.
Dealers argue that their operating expenses have increased significantly. They also say current business conditions have made the existing margin difficult to sustain.
Another major concern involves the 24-hour petroleum pricing system. Dealers claim frequent price changes are creating financial challenges.
Daily fluctuations make it harder for dealers to manage working capital. They say maintaining adequate funds has become increasingly difficult.
The dealers have also raised concerns about company allocation policies. They want the government to review these policies during negotiations.
The proposed shutdown has raised concerns about a possible Fuel Crisis across Pakistan. Petrol supplies are essential for transportation and several other sectors.
A nationwide closure could affect ordinary motorists and public transport services. Transporters and businesses could also face difficulties if supplies are disrupted.
A prolonged shutdown could create pressure on fuel availability in major cities. It may also affect private vehicles and commercial transportation.
The association has not ruled out extending the closure if its demands remain unresolved. The government now has limited time to prevent the planned action.
The latest warning comes as dealers seek changes to their business terms. Their demands focus on margins, pricing procedures and fuel allocation.
If negotiations fail, the planned shutdown could trigger a wider Fuel Crisis. The impact would depend on how long petrol stations remain closed.
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Both sides still have an opportunity to resolve the dispute through talks. Any agreement before August 15 could prevent the nationwide shutdown.
