The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has announced a nationwide shutdown on July 5, protesting the government’s advance tax policy. The PPDA’s chairman, Abdul Samad Khan, voiced strong opposition to the 0.5% advance turnover tax in the new Finance Bill 2024-25.
In a recent press conference, Khan stated that this tax makes running petrol stations unfeasible. He urged the government to cancel this tax immediately or face a countrywide halt of fuel supplies. He emphasized that this decision is critical as the financial burden on dealers is unsustainable.
The dealers argue that their sales have already been declining and that the additional tax makes their operations even more challenging. They accuse the government of imposing excessive taxes and supporting fuel smuggling, which undercuts legitimate businesses. Khan pointed out that taxes are already collected on every fuel sale, and adding more taxes is pushing dealers to the brink.
Khan mentioned that a delegation from the PPDA is heading to Islamabad to meet with the Finance Minister, Petroleum Minister, and the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). They hope these talks will lead to a resolution. However, if the government does not address their concerns, the planned shutdown will proceed as announced.
 has announced a nationwide shutdown on July 5, protesting the government's advance tax policy. The PPDA's chairman, Abdul Samad Khan, voiced strong opposition to the 0.5% advance turnover tax in the new Finance Bill 2024-25.){kind=link}