Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association calls off strike

 The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association has called off the strike as the government accepted the demands, 24NewsHD TV channel reported.

 “Our strike was successful, the government accepted our demands,”  Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association Chairman Abdul Sami Khan said.

He added the FBR issued a notification after their demands were met. Advance Income Tax under section 236H will not apply to OMCs, he added.

The Ministry of Petroleum sought an explanation from the FBR and the latter clarified that the advance income tax of 0.50% will not be levied on dealers or retailers of oil marketing companies.

Several petrol pumps were closed over the strike call against the government’s implementation of a 0.5% advance turnover tax on petroleum products.

The association argued that the tax would place a significant burden on their businesses and has demanded its withdrawal.

However, the Petroleum Division and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority assured the people that the country had a sufficient supply of petroleum products. OGRA spokesperson Imran Ghaznavi stated that all oil marketing companies have been instructed to ensure adequate supply to petrol stations and keep them open.

According to Sami, the strike was called off due to tourists who were facing problems “Tourists are facing major difficulties at the moment, and the association is now calling off the strike,” he said.

While acknowledging the challenges, he said the strike was not an easy decision, as the entire state and government were allegedly against it.

This strike was not easy, the entire state and government were opposed to it.