KARACHI: The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has rejected the dealers’ margin proposed by the government and demanded that it be increased to 8%, warning of a nationwide shutdown of fuel pumps if the demand is not met.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan said petroleum dealers could not continue operations on the existing margin of 3.12%, describing it as financially unviable. He said the association had formally conveyed its demand for an 8% margin to the government.
The PPDA has given the government a 10-day deadline to raise the margin to the proposed level. Failing this, the association will convene a meeting after the deadline to decide on closing fuel stations across the country, he warned.
Sami Khan said the dealers’ core committee would announce a final course of action following internal consultations. He added that if required, the government could increase the margin in phases, but a written assurance for enhancing it to 8% was essential.
The dealers urged the authorities to address their concerns promptly to avoid disruption in fuel supply nationwide.
