The strike initiated by the Petroleum Dealers Association has caused extensive disruption across Pakistan, resulting in the closure of petrol pumps in various cities and prompting citizens to seek alternative fuel sources.
The association’s protest stems from the federal government’s recent imposition of new taxes on petrol sales, demanding the rollback of these measures.
However, the situation in the capital cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad presents a contrast, as there are no indications that the strike call is being widely observed.
In Lahore, the situation has stabilized compared to other cities. Despite initial closures before 6 am, a majority of petrol pumps resumed operations by midday. Over 90% of pumps in Lahore were reported to be open, with exceptions in areas such as Mall Road, Temple Road, Allama Iqbal Road, and Garhi Shahu where some pumps ceased operations later in the evening.
Petrol pumps supplying oil to government institutions, those managed by Police Welfare, and those operated by Rangers remained operational throughout the strike.
Karachi faced significant disruptions, with many petrol pumps closing from 6 am onwards. This led to increased congestion at the few stations that remained open. Public transport services were also impacted, with fewer vehicles on the roads than usual. Karachi’s petroleum dealers are also protesting against the advance return tax imposed by the federal government.
Quetta experienced a partial strike, with most petrol pumps staying open to ensure continued fuel availability for residents. Meanwhile, Peshawar witnessed more severe disruptions, with many pumps closing in response to the strike call, causing hardship for locals.
In Liaquatpur, the strike resulted in widespread pump closures, posing significant challenges for the local population. The district president of the petroleum dealers’ association cited the protest against unjust tax hikes as the reason for the closures.
Burewala remained unaffected by the strike, with all petrol pumps operating normally and no instructions from owners to close. Traffic flow in and out of the city continued smoothly.
The federal government’s Petroleum Division in Islamabad has responded to the strike by implementing several measures to mitigate its impact. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and affiliated entities have been instructed to keep their pumps open. Additionally, OGRA (Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority), OAC (Oil Advisory Committee), and OMCs have been directed to maintain adequate fuel stocks.
A list of pumps that remained operational during the strike has been compiled, and a monitoring cell has been established at the Directorate General of Petroleum to oversee the supply chain. OGRA teams are conducting field inspections of petrol pumps, with actions planned against any violations. Chief secretaries have been urged to cooperate in keeping as many pumps open as possible and facilitate the movement of oil tankers to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply.
The Petroleum Dealers Association has engaged with the Finance Ministry and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to address their concerns regarding tax policies, seeking revisions to the current framework.
