Petroleum dealers in a quandary as strike call hits a snag
Business
It was feared that there would be no petrol and diesel in the country on Friday
LAHORE (Dunya News) - The petrol supply remained uninterrupted on Friday despite repeated calls for strike on July 5 by the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA).
Petrol pumps in various parts of Lahore including Jallo Park, GT Road, Lakshami Chowk, Mughalpura, Cantonment Board, Shadbagh and Amir Road were kept open amid pervasive confusion surrounding petroleum dealers on the issue of strike.
Similarly, cancellation of strike in Islamabad and Rawalpindi due to passing of vice president of PPDA, Qazi Khalid, didn't hurt petrol supply in the twin cities.
At the same time, oil marketing companies (OMCs) have demanded a 60 percent increase in their profit margins.
It must be noted that the petroleum dealers had announced a countrywide strike on July 5 (Friday) against the imposition of advance tax in the budget for 2024-25.
STRIKE CALL
Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) Chairman Abdul Samad Khan said at a press conference that all filling stations would observe shutdown across the country if the decision of imposing advance tax is not reversed by the government.
It was feared that there will be no availability of petrol and diesel in the country on Friday. It could disrupt transportation services in the country as they depend on these petroleum products to operate.
Khan had expressed concerns over the 0.5 percent advance turnover tax included in the Finance Bill 2024-25.
He said it would make it impossible for petrol pumps to operate. He asked the government to abolish it immediately otherwise “we are left with no option but to shut down operations.”
The Finance Bill 2024-25, which was prepared under the watch of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), was approved by the National Assembly in late June.
The association said on Wednesday its talks with the provincial and federal governments failed and the dealers would keep their operations shut on Friday.
“They asked us to call off strike and promised to resolve the issue but we cannot postpone the strike on mere assurances,” the PPDA chairman said.
Khan said the association had meetings with top officials including those of oil marketing companies’ advisory council but the issues persist.
He had said that 13,000 petrol stations would be closed from July 5 at 6am onward and the strike could continue over the following days unless demands were met and notified.
He asked the owners and operators of retail outlets to keep their stocks for July 4.
The representatives of oil marketing companies, Ogra and petroleum division have appointed focal persons for the monitoring cell.
The FBR chairman had earlier assured the dealers that the turnover tax would be withdrawn but the petroleum secretary says legislation is required to reverse the process.
