LAHORE (National Times)”: Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) on Thursday has gone on strike across the country over government’s negligence in increasing the dealer margin to six percent.

Chairman PPDA while holding a press conference at Karachi Press Club said, “The association will observe indefinite strike by suspending the supply from its petrol pumps from November 25, 2021.”

On the other hand, spokesperson for the Ministry of Petroleum said all the petrol pumps of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) Shell, TOTAL and other companies across the country will remain open.

Majority of the petrol pumps in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Azad Kashmir and other cities are closed while some are open and witnessing long queues of the vehicles for refueling.

The spokesperson said that the Petroleum Division of the Ministry of Energy sent the case to ECC to increase the margins of petrol pump dealers and the ministry is working on it.

PSO spokesperson said that their petrol pumps across the country will remain open and continuous supply of fuel at the petrol pumps is being ensured. “The PSO is always ready to serve the people,” he added.

OGRA takes notice of PPDA’s strike

Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has taken notice of PPDA’s nationwide strike and directed to ensure uninterrupted petrol supply to the marketing companies.

The authority has also formed teams to monitor the situation.

Federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar said that government is willing to consider fair demands of the Petroleum Dealers Association but reiterated that unfair demands will not be accepted.

Hammad Azhar, in a tweet, said that some groups want an increase of Rs9 but government cannot allow such an increase just to please some companies.

The minister further added that summary regarding increase in margin of petrol pumps has also been forwarded to ECC and a decision will be taken in the next meeting; however, he urged the association to not cause problems for the masses and review their decision.