Petroleum Dealers End Strike After Government Bows to Demands!

• Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) ends strike after talks with the government.
• Dispute centered around the 0.5% turnover tax in the 2024-25 federal budget.
• Fuel availability restored nationwide after successful negotiations.

In a significant development, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) called off their strike late Friday night following successful negotiations with the federal government. This decision came after a day of partial strikes at petrol pumps across the country, which had been protesting against a 0.5% turnover tax imposed in the federal budget for 2024-25.

Petrol pumps had observed a partial strike on Friday as the petroleum dealers were divided over the call to protest. Some members of the PPDA wanted to continue negotiations before considering an indefinite strike. However, after successful talks, PPDA General Secretary Nouman Butt announced the end of the strike, thanking the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman, the Petroleum Division secretary, and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) chairman for addressing their demands.

The strike initially announced by PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan was called off following the resolution of key issues. Butt explained that the petroleum dealers faced difficulties due to Section 136H of the Finance Act 2024, which impacted income tax regulation on petroleum products prices.

While a significant number of petrol pumps in Karachi remained closed on Friday morning, some continued operations, especially on University Road and Sharea Faisal. In Lahore, the Petroleum Dealers Association Punjab chose not to participate in the strike despite collapsed negotiations, ensuring that petrol pumps remained open. Similarly, petrol pump owners in Lodhran continued selling fuel, dissociating from the strike.

Ogra and the Petroleum Division confirmed that petroleum products would remain available nationwide, highlighting sufficient supplies. They also noted that the PPDA’s concerns had been communicated to the FBR and Finance Division for further consideration.