Karachi (HRNW)- Negotiations between petroleum dealers and the government have failed, paving the way for an indefinite nationwide strike by petroleum dealers from 6am on Saturday, August 15.
The negotiations, held under the leadership of Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association Chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh, continued for approximately five hours with Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik. The atmosphere reportedly remained tense throughout the meeting.
The Federal Minister for Petroleum expressed displeasure over the 72-hour ultimatum issued by petroleum dealers.
According to the Chairman of the Petroleum Dealers Association, the government refused to change the existing system of daily fluctuations in petroleum product prices during the negotiations.
However, the government assured the dealers that their demand for an increase in the dealers’ margin by Rs1.34 per litre would be considered, although approval has been made conditional on the decision of the Federal Cabinet.
With the talks ending without an agreement, petroleum dealers have indicated that the nationwide strike will proceed from Saturday morning.
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