On Sunday, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) announced a nationwide strike on July 18. According to Abdul Sami Khan, the association demanded an increase in the margin they receive on petroleum products. He added that current rates were making it hard to continue the sales.
PPDA is asking for the margin to be raised to 6 per cent from 3.5pc. The decision was made after an emergency meeting of the dealers’ group. In June, the demand for petrol had dropped by 12pc and diesel by 16pc. The continued drop has been associated with rising taxes and the withdrawal of subsidies.
In November 2021, the same issue came during PTI’s tenure. PPDA had demanded a raise in the margin to 6pc (Rs5 per litre). But the previous government and PPDA agreed on increasing the margin by 99 paisa on petrol, and 83 paisa on high-speed diesel.