Petrol Pumps to Shut Nationwide from Thursday

News Desk

Islamabad: Petrol pump dealers across Pakistan have announced a nationwide shutdown, citing concerns over reduced profit margins and the government’s new petroleum pricing mechanism.

The Petroleum Dealers Association said fuel stations will remain closed for 24 hours from 6am Thursday to Friday morning, while some factions have announced closure from midnight.

The association has presented three key demands before the government, including an increase in dealers’ profit margin from the existing 2.6% to 8%, a shift from daily petroleum price adjustments to a fortnightly or monthly pricing system, and the removal of the quota system imposed by oil marketing companies.

The announcement comes after the federal government recently transferred petroleum price determination powers to OGRA, introducing a system under which petrol and high-speed diesel prices are revised on a daily basis.

Following the new mechanism, petrol prices were increased by Rs5.44 per litre, while high-speed diesel saw an increase of Rs31 per litre.

The policy has drawn criticism from consumers, transporters and fuel dealers. Transporters have already revised fares after the diesel price hike, while petrol pump owners warned of further protests if their concerns are not addressed.

Meanwhile, the government has invited representatives of the Petroleum Dealers Association for talks in an effort to resolve the dispute and avoid a nationwide fuel supply disruption.