Karachi: Negotiations between petroleum dealers and the government have failed, leading to an indefinite nationwide strike by petroleum dealers from 6 am on Saturday, August 15.
The atmosphere was tense during the talks held last night with Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik, led by Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh. The talks between the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association delegation and the Ministry of Petroleum continued for five hours.

Federal Minister for Petroleum expressed displeasure over the 72-hour ultimatum given by petroleum dealers.

According to the Chairman of the Petroleum Dealers Association, during the negotiations, the government refused to change the system of daily fluctuations in the prices of petroleum products, while the government assured to discuss an increase in the dealers’ margin by one rupee and 34 paise, however, its approval is subject to the federal cabinet.

According to the association, in view of the behavior of the federal minister for petroleum, the delegation of petroleum dealers has immediately left for Karachi and has also called for an emergency meeting of its executive committee in Karachi.

The delegation of Pakistan Petroleum Dealers included Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh, Vice Chairman Tariq Hassan, Vice Chairman Anwar Kamal, Sindh President Amir Khan, while Vice Chairman of Petroleum Dealers from Punjab Raja Waseem, Chaudhry Baher, Khawaja Kashif Elahi, Abdul Majid Khan from KPK and others.