PPDA announces nationwide strike against government's tax decision

The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has declared a nationwide strike on July 5 in opposition to the government's decision to impose a 0.5% advance tax. The PPDA chairman, Abdul Sami Khan, has warned that if discussions with the government in Islamabad on Monday fail to produce favorable outcomes, petrol pumps across Pakistan will halt operations as planned. Khan has expressed concerns about the impact of the advance turnover tax and has hinted at the possibility of extending the strike if necessary. He has urged the government to revoke the tax immediately, highlighting that it would make it unsustainable for petrol dealers to continue their businesses.

The strike announcement follows the federal government's recent announcement of a Rs 7.45 per litre increase in petrol prices for the next two weeks. The Finance Division has issued a notification setting the new petrol price at Rs 265.61 per litre, up from the previous rate of Rs 258.16 per litre, further burdening the public already struggling with inflation. Additionally, the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) has been raised to Rs 277.45 per litre, marking a Rs 9.56 increase from the earlier rate of Rs 267.89 per litre.

It is important to note that the federal government, under the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership, has proposed a 33% hike in the petroleum levy on petroleum products. The proposal also includes a 50% surge in the levy on high-octane, light diesel, and ethanol, raising the charge to Rs 50 per litre for these fuel types.

The impending nationwide strike by the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association underscores the escalating tensions between the government and petrol dealers over tax policies and fuel pricing. As consumers brace for higher petrol costs and potential disruptions in fuel supply, the need for a swift resolution to this standoff becomes increasingly urgent. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation.