Dealers threaten countrywide closure of petrol pumps from July 22

The Petroleum Dealers Association (PDA) on Thursday announced the countrywide closure of petrol pumps from July 22 next, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

PDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan said that Iranian petrol was being smuggled into the country due to which the profit rate of the dealers had decreased.

“The government and the dealers have to bear the loss caused by smuggling. The government should increase the margin on petroleum products from Rs3 to Rs9,” the PDA chairman demanded.

“The inflation rate has become very high compared to the last year. The income has depleted due to the financial cost and other needs,” he said.

“The dealers in the petroleum industry act as the backbone of the country. They are being neglected by the government,” he stated.

“Our agreement with the government took place in 1999 according to which we were to get a five percent margin on the petroleum products,” he added.

“Due to the financial cost and other expenditures, the profit of the petrol pumps with low sales has come to zero. Our sales have dropped by 30 percent due to the sale of smuggled Iranian petrol and diesel,” he averred.

“It is the responsibility of the current government to provide justice to the business community. We are going on a strike for an indefinite period under compulsion. There will be no strike on the 9th and 10th of Muharram,” he declared.

Reporter: Kawish Memon