Petrol stations around the country went on a partial strike on Friday, with petroleum dealers divided over the call to strike against the 0.5% turnover tax introduced in the federal budget 2024–25.
The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) Chairman, Abdul Sami Khan, stated a day before that fuel pumps will stay closed on Friday.
Nonetheless, a portion of the association's leaders expressed their refusal to endorse the strike, preferring to wait for another round of discussions with the authorities before embarking on an indefinite strike.
The PPDA Secretary General, Noman Ali Butt, denied the report of a countrywide strike, stating that the country's supply of petroleum products will continue as usual.
"The dealers’ association did not announce a strike; just a few components called for one. Talks with the government are underway, and the authorities have promised to resolve our concerns," he stated.
On the other side, PPDA Spokesperson Hasan Shah informed petroleum dealers, "We have protested before. We have also blocked the D-Chowk and Faizabad interchange. We have demonstrated outside the National Assembly and the Senate. However, discussions remain the preferred choice, and strikes should be used as a last resort."
Meanwhile, many petrol pumps in Karachi remained closed Friday morning, while some were still open, notably on University Road and Sharea Faisal.
Fuel stations in Lahore did not observe the strike since the Petroleum Dealers Association of Punjab stated that, despite the collapse of discussions with the government, they would not shut down petrol pumps at this time.
Meanwhile, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and Petroleum Division said that petroleum products will be accessible throughout the country, emphasizing the availability of enough petroleum products.
"The concerns of the PPDA have also been taken up with the FBR and Finance Division for consideration," they stated on Thursday.