ISLAMABAD : The Petrol Pump Owners Association has withdrawn its strike call following successful negotiations with the federal government, averting a potential crisis of petroleum products across the country.
The decision came after the government assured pump owners that all issues, including the dealers’ margin, would be resolved within two weeks.
Speaking alongside Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik in Islamabad, Secretary Information of the Petroleum Pump Owners Association Nadeem Aziz expressed confidence in the minister’s commitment. “We have full confidence in Ali Pervaiz Malik and hope that the margin issue will be resolved within two weeks,” Aziz said.
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik thanked the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association and other organizations for their cooperation, acknowledging the challenging situation arising from regional instability.
“The Prime Minister and the government are fully aware of the problems facing the people,” Malik stated.
The minister highlighted that the government has been making continuous efforts to shield the public from rising petroleum prices. Since February, the government has spent several hundred billion rupees to maintain price stability, while also introducing a targeted subsidy system.
However, Malik warned of mounting challenges, noting that “clouds of war are again looming in the region” and that the increase in petroleum product prices “is standing like a mountain.”
He pointed to rising oil prices in the international market, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Field Marshal Asim Munir are actively working to keep the region out of conflict.
The minister assured that the government would send a summary to the cabinet regarding the dealers’ margin issue and would resolve the matter in consultation with dealers within two weeks.
“We assure them to solve the problems of dealers together with OGRA and will give good news soon,” Malik concluded.
