The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has issued a warning that petrol pumps nationwide will be closed indefinitely starting March 27 unless the government increases the dealers' margin to 8 per cent.
During an urgent press conference at the Karachi Press Club, PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan emphasized that due to the surge in oil prices, the dealers' margin has plummeted to 2.68 per cent, rendering it unfeasible to sustain operations.
Khan stressed that the government had initially pledged an eight per cent margin, urging prompt action to honor this commitment. He cautioned that if their demand is not met, petrol pumps will cease operations across the country.
PPDA Vice Chairman Tariq Hassan voiced apprehension regarding a potential fuel price hike this week, indicating that petrol prices might escalate by Rs50 to Rs60 per litre.
Waseem Qadri, another official, highlighted that setting the margin at eight per cent would significantly boost dealers' earnings from approximately Rs8 to around Rs25 per litre.
The petroleum dealers also alleged widespread sale of Iranian diesel and petrol in the local market, adversely impacting the domestic fuel sector.
Earlier on March 4, the All-Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association had alerted about a potential petroleum product shortage in the country, urging immediate government intervention.
In a letter to the prime minister, the association claimed that oil marketing companies had implemented a quota system, resulting in inadequate fuel supply to petrol pumps. Delays in deliveries and prolonged waiting times for tankers were reported, with concerns raised about the possibility of creating an artificial shortage leading to public panic.
