ISLAMABAD (April 7) The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) and the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPOA) on Tuesday warned of a nationwide closure of petrol pumps if their demands for a minimum profit at Rs 6 per litre are not met.
Speaking at a press conference at the Islamabad Press Club, PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan said the association had considered a strike but refrained in the public interest. He added that they were neither invited to meetings nor consulted.
He demanded that their commission be increased to 8 per cent, accusing the government of attempting to extract all taxes from the petroleum industry.
Khan said a strike call would be announced after their next meeting. He added that all petrol pumps and dealers were united, warning that under such conditions, they might sell their pumps and shut down operations.
He further said that the Balochistan government had stated petrol would be available at Rs280 per litre in the province, alleging that Iranian petrol was entering the market and its price was being set locally.
APPPOA Chairman Humayun Khan said their primary demand was the introduction of a proportional commission. He said their commission should increase when fuel prices rise, adding that their business was becoming unsustainable under the current system.
Humayun said they could not continue selling petrol at existing commission rates and urged the government to address their demands before petrol pumps begin shutting down. ends
