LOWER DIR: All-Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (APPDA), Malakand division chapter, on Wednesday rejected the government’s decision to allow daily fluctuations in petroleum prices, declaring that petrol pumps across the region would remain closed from midnight (Wednesday) in protest.

Addressing a press conference at Timergara District Press Club, APPDA Malakand division president Mian Ali Jan, district president Attaullah, general secretary Malik Imtiaz Khan and others termed the policy unacceptable.

They said daily revisions in fuel prices would adversely affect both petroleum dealers and consumers, arguing that the government was attempting to shift the burden of the country’s fuel-related challenges onto petrol pump owners.

The association leaders alleged that the government had failed to effectively manage the fuel sector and that frequent price adjustments would further aggravate economic difficulties and increase financial pressure on the public. They also criticised the decision to link petroleum pricing to Ogra, claiming it had added to consumers’ hardship.

The dealers demanded an immediate withdrawal of the policy, saying that reductions in international oil prices were passed on to consumers only after weeks of delay, while increases were implemented without delay, affecting both the public and petrol pump operators.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2026