Accuses government of not inviting meetings and says commission should increase when fuel prices rise
People wait for their turn to refuel at a gas station in Peshawar. Photo: Reuters/File
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Petroleum Traders Association (PPDA) and Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPOA) on Tuesday warned of a nationwide shutdown of petrol pumps if their demands for increased commissions are not met.
Speaking at a press conference at the Islamabad Press Club, PPDA President Abdul Sami Khan said the association had considered a strike but refrained in public interest. He added that they were neither invited to the meetings nor consulted.
He demanded that their commission be increased to 8 percent, accusing the government of trying to extract all taxes from the oil 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 stop their operations.
He added that the Balochistan government had declared that petrol would be available at Rs 280 per liter in the province, alleging that Iranian petrol was entering the market and its price was fixed locally.
APPPOA president Humayun Khan said their main demand was the introduction of proportional commission. He said their commissions would have to increase when fuel prices rise, adding that their business was becoming unsustainable under the current system.
Humayun said they cannot continue selling petrol at the existing commission rates and urged the government to meet their demands before petrol pumps start closing.
He also claimed that several independent institutions in Punjab were inspecting petrol pumps, adding that the government was venting its frustration on traders under pressure from US President Donald Trump.
He said petrol pump owners were currently getting a commission of Rs8 per litre, adding that several taxes were deducted from this amount.
Humayun said their business was also badly affected by the influx of smuggled fuel. He wonders why the authorities responsible for combating smuggling have not been able to stop it and asks who is responsible for controlling smuggling at the borders.
He further alleged that oil marketing companies were stockpiling gasoline. He added that if dealers did not benefit at all, it would be impossible to continue their operations.
