RAWALPINDI: The country may face shortage of fuel after All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Dealers Association announced that it will observe a nationwide strike on Nov 25 as the government had failed to increase the dealers’ margin by 6pc.

All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Dealers Association Information Secretary Nauman Ali Butt said petrol filling stations across the country would remain closed on Nov 25.

He said the government had not accepted their demands and that no negotiations would be held until the margin was raised by 6pc.

It may be mentioned here that the dealers had threatened to go on strike throughout the country with effect from Nov 5 against the government’s delaying tactics in increasing their margins.

On Nov 3, the dealers’ association withdrew its protest strike call after a government team led by Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar agreed to increase their margins on the sale of petroleum products in a few days.

The meeting had also constituted a committee led by Petroleum Secretary Dr Arshad Mahmood and comprising stakeholders to ensure implementation of the agreement for increase in margins through approval from the ECC and the federal cabinet by Nov 15.

The government team also included the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) chairman and Director General Oil.

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2021