Petrol dealers across Pakistan have announced an indefinite nationwide strike from 12:00 midnight on July 22, following the failure of negotiations with the federal government over their demands.
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The decision was released by the All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Owners Association, which said all petrol pumps across the country would remain closed until the government accepts their demands.
According to the association, discussions with the Federal Petroleum Minister failed to produce a breakthrough on key issues, including an increase in dealers’ profit margins and the implementation of a daily fuel price adjustment mechanism.
Following the unsuccessful talks, the association announced that petrol pumps would suspend operations nationwide from midnight on July 22.
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It urged all petrol pump owners to fully participate in the strike and keep their filling stations closed until further notice.
The association said its primary demands include increasing dealers’ margins and addressing concerns over the proposed daily petroleum pricing system.
Representatives argued that existing dealer margins are insufficient to meet rising operational costs and warned that introducing daily fuel price revisions without resolving their concerns would further burden retailers.
The strike, they said, will continue until the government reaches an acceptable agreement with petroleum dealers.
Meanwhile, Shoaib Khan, a central leader of the All Pakistan Petroleum Retailers Association, announced the organisation’s full support for the nationwide protest.
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Speaking in Karachi, he urged the government to make positive decisions regarding what he described as the legitimate demands of petroleum retailers.
He said the strike would not be withdrawn until the dealers’ issues are resolved.
The association also expressed solidarity with petrol dealers across the country, saying retailers nationwide remain united in support of the protest.
It added that it would continue backing any movement against what it termed “illegal and unethical measures” affecting petroleum retailers.
If the strike proceeds as announced, motorists could face disruptions in fuel availability across Pakistan.
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Consumers are expected to rush to filling stations before the strike begins, potentially resulting in long queues and temporary shortages in several cities.
Government officials have not yet announced any fresh round of negotiations or contingency plans to address the situation.
Petrol dealers have repeatedly called for higher dealer margins, arguing that increasing operational expenses, inflation, and rising business costs have made current commission rates unsustainable.
