The daily petrol price decision has sparked backlash as pump owners have warned of a nationwide strike.
ISLAMABAD – Petrol and diesel prices will now be fixed on a daily basis amid widespread fluctuations in international market prices, and the Pakistani government took an unprecedented step to change prices every day.
A fresh standoff is brewing between the government and Pakistan’s fuel retail sector as the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association has outright rejected the proposed petroleum price deregulation policy, warning that nationwide protests and strikes could begin as early as next week if the decision is not withdrawn.
Chairman of the association Noman Ali Butt strongly criticized the proposed policy of the government, calling it unacceptable and demanding its immediate review. He warned that petrol pump owners across the country would be left with no option but to protest if the authorities acted without addressing their concerns.
“The government should not put the burden of its policy decisions on petrol pump owners,” Butt urged policymakers to reconsider the move. He emphasized that Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) should not be allowed to fix fuel prices without first consulting all stakeholders.
According to the association, around 15,000 petrol pump owners across the country expressed strong reservations over the proposed deregulation framework, fearing that it could significantly affect the fuel retail business.
OMCs officials warned that the new policy could have far-reaching consequences beyond petrol stations, affecting oil tanker operations, fuel transportation and the overall fuel pricing mechanism. He accused the government of taking unilateral decisions and urged for meaningful consultation with petrol pump owners before implementing any changes.
The dispute also raises the possibility of fuel supply disruptions if negotiations fail, putting additional pressure on the government to engage with stakeholders before moving forward with the proposed policy.
What is behind Pakistan’s ‘painful’ decision to fix daily petrol, diesel prices?
The post Reaction to daily decision in petrol prices, pump owners warn of nationwide strike appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.
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