Petrol Pumps Strike in Pakistan Despite OGRA’s Directive to Stay Open

As the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) prepares for a strike today, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has taken steps to ensure that petrol remains available across the country. Starting at 6 a.m., the PPDA plans to shut down all petrol stations outside Islamabad in protest against a new 0.5% advance income tax on their turnover. They argue that this tax, combined with their already slim profit margins, will make their businesses financially unviable.

In response to the anticipated disruption, the Ministry of Energy, through its Petroleum Division, has partnered with OGRA to prevent any fuel shortages. They have directed all oil marketing companies to keep ample petrol supplies and maintain service at petrol stations throughout the day. To closely monitor the situation, a special cell set up to oversee fuel distribution and ensure that the public has continuous access to petrol.

OGRA and the Petroleum Division have jointly assured the public that there will be no shortage of petrol and that all necessary measures are in place to handle the strike. This statement aims to calm fears and confirm that petrol supplies will uninterrupted across Pakistan.

Meanwhile, OGRA has expressed frustration with how the media has reported on its communications with the refining sector. The authority criticized the media for what it called “unprofessional handling” of sensitive issues related to the industry.

In Karachi, officials have confirmed that the People’s Bus Service will continue to operate as usual. They have taken steps to ensure that public buses will have a steady supply of fuel, guaranteeing that transportation services remain available to the public throughout the day.