The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has convened an emergency meeting to determine the next course of action for their ongoing strike. The meeting, scheduled for 6pm, will decide whether the strike will be extended beyond its current duration.PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan emphasized that no negotiations have taken place with the government or administration thus far. He highlighted that over 525 petrol pumps are present in Karachi, with only company-operated or company-dealer petrol pumps remaining open. The city typically sees daily sales of 3.5 to 4 million liters of petrol and diesel, he added.

The strike, which began earlier in the day, saw some petrol stations shut down across many cities and major highways. However, most petrol pumps in major cities including Lahore and Karachi remained operational. The day-long shutterdown strike called by the owners to protest the taxes introduced in the federal budget of around 13,000 fuel stations nationwide was set to start at 6am today.

Despite some petrol pumps in Karachi remaining closed on Friday morning, some continued operating as usual, especially along Rashid Minhas Road, University Road, and Shahrah-e-Faisal. In contrast, the majority of the fuel stations in Lahore did not observe the strike at all.

The Petroleum Division and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) have issued directives to keep petrol pumps open. OGRA spokesperson Imran Ghaznavi affirmed in a joint statement with the Petroleum Division that petroleum products would remain available across the country. “There is an adequate supply of petroleum products in the country,” the statement assured.

The ongoing strike by the petroleum dealers has significant implications for the country’s economy, particularly in cities like Karachi where daily sales of petrol and diesel are substantial. The meeting will likely involve discussions on the feasibility of extending the strike and the potential impact on the economy.