The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) on Wednesday announced it will proceed with a nationwide closure of fuel pumps on July 5 (Friday) after failing to make any headway in securing the withdrawal of advance tax imposed on them in the budget for fiscal year 2024-25.
PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan told media that a delegation of his organization met government officials in Islamabad but was only provided assurances of resolution and no concrete actions. In this scenario, he stressed, the PPDA had no option but to proceed with its earlier announced strike.
According to the petroleum dealers, the advance tax imposed by the new budget renders their business unviable, especially amidst rampant inflation. They maintain that they are already paying advance tax and the new tax is a form of “double taxation” that would drive their business into loss.
Khan maintained that the PPDA would not resume any talks with the government until its demands were met, warning the shutdown could continue for several days if the advance tax remains in place.
Reportedly, the PPDA represented over 13,000 petrol stations across Pakistan, which would all shutter on Friday in protest over the new tax.
Taking cognizance of the looming fuel shortage, the petroleum division has urged oil marketing companies to ensure sufficient stocks of petroleum products at all company-owned or -operated locations to avoid significant disruption of the supply chain.