The Petrol Pump Owners Association of Pakistan has announced a nationwide strike after negotiations with the federal government failed to resolve major concerns. The strike is scheduled to begin from midnight on Wednesday.
The announcement was made by All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association Chairman Humayun Khan during a press conference. Vice Chairman Noman Ali Butt and other provincial representatives were also present.
According to the association, a meeting was held with the federal petroleum minister earlier on Tuesday. However, the talks ended without any agreement on the demands raised by fuel retailers.
Humayun Khan said the Petrol Pump Owners across the country are facing serious financial and operational challenges. He stated that the current commission system is no longer enough to cover increasing business expenses.
The association has demanded changes in the dealers’ commission structure. It wants commissions to be linked with petroleum prices instead of a fixed amount per litre.
The representatives also demanded that dealers’ commissions should be reviewed on a monthly basis. They argued that business costs continue to rise whenever fuel prices increase.
According to the association, the existing commission model does not provide enough support for petrol station operators. They believe a percentage-based commission system would better reflect market conditions.
The Petrol Pump Owners also rejected the proposed daily revision of petroleum prices. They described the policy as difficult to manage and unsuitable for fuel retailers.
Humayun Khan said frequent price changes could create problems for petrol stations. These issues may include difficulties in accounting, inventory management, and daily business operations.
He also criticized the involvement of multiple organizations in the fuel pricing process. He said the participation of the government, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), and oil marketing companies has not solved dealers’ concerns.
The association claimed that fuel retailers were not properly consulted before the new pricing policy was prepared. It said policies affecting businesses should be developed after discussions with relevant stakeholders.
The chairman expressed disappointment over the lack of progress during negotiations. He said petrol pump dealers have been raising their concerns for a long time but have not received a satisfactory response.
The planned strike could affect fuel supply across Pakistan if petrol stations suspend operations. The association has urged the government to take immediate steps to address their demands.
The Petrol Pump Owners have previously called for replacing the fixed per-litre margin with a percentage-based commission. They believe this change would help retailers manage rising costs related to fuel prices, salaries, and other expenses.
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The association has maintained that it wants a fair and sustainable solution rather than temporary measures. Further discussions between the government and fuel retailers may determine whether the strike proceeds or is called off.
