The All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (APPDA) Sindh and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Petroleum Dealers Association (KPPDCA) have announced strikes in response to the government’s proposed petroleum deregulation policy.
The policy, revealed by Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, would allow oil marketing companies (OMCs) to set their own fuel prices, raising fears of market manipulation and cartelisation.
APPDA members, including Raza Abbas and Nauman Butt, declared an indefinite strike starting March 4, warning that deregulation could destabilize the market and harm local refineries.
They accused the government of favouring a few OMCs, risking sector-wide monopolization.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, KPPDCA President Gul Nawaz Afridi warned that deregulation could lead to smuggling, hoarding, and the rise of an oil mafia.
He emphasized the petroleum sector’s critical role in the economy and called for transparency. K-P dealers threatened an indefinite strike if their demands are not met by March 3.
Both associations criticized the government for failing to consult stakeholders and expressed concerns over the potential impact on consumers and product quality.
Also read: Ban on smuggled petrol demanded in DI Khan
