ISLAMABAD, Aug 31 (KUNA) -- The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) Friday went on strike across the country for an indefinite period in protest to cut their commission, announced by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
The PPDA has decided to observe a countrywide strike after the government decided to cut their profit over petrol. However, the Petrol pumps owned/operated by oil marketing companies (OMCs) are not taking part in the strike.
PPDA President Sami Khan talking to newsmen said owners of fuel station found it hard to run their business with that much profit. The government has cut the profit to 39 paisa per liter. The dealers called this move a "big blow to petrol pumps".
The strike has caused stress and sparked a crisis like situation in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and many cities. In Islamabad, the strike was being observed partially because, according to Abid Hayat, head of the Islamabad Dealers Association, of lack of coordination among petrol dealers.
Though hundreds of vehicles swarmed petrol pumps on Thursday to get their fuel tanks filled and avoid any inconvenience on the day of strike but on Friday long queues were seen at few petrol pumps in many cities and consumers had to wait for hours for their turn.
"I have been waiting for my turn for last 90 minutes and still I am not sure whether I will get the petrol or not", said Saleem Zaheer, a consumer.
The PPDA has announced that all the petrol pumps run/owned by private dealers will remain shut until the government doest not restore their old commission.
The strike, however, has not hit gas stations.
The government has unexpectedly changed the pricing mechanism of petrol, swapping a reduction in margin of marketing companies and their dealers commission with an increase in taxes.
