KARACHI: The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) announced on Thursday that negotiations with the government had failed, prompting petroleum dealers to begin an indefinite nationwide strike from August 15.
According to PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh, the government refused to change the system of daily adjustments in petroleum product prices during negotiations. However, the government assured dealers that it would consider increasing their profit margin by Rs1.34 per litre, subject to approval by the federal cabinet.
The association said its delegation left for Karachi following the talks and held an emergency meeting of its executive committee. Petroleum dealers remained firm on their decision to close petrol pumps across the country from Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, the All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance also announced that its nationwide strike would continue after talks with the federal and Sindh governments failed.
Alliance President Malik Shahzad Awan said transporters would continue their strike until their demands were approved and a formal notification was issued. He said the strike had entered its sixth day across Pakistan.
Awan urged transporters to remain peaceful and avoid blocking roads during the protest.
