The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has firmly opposed a proposed amendment to the Petroleum Act of 1934, which would grant more authority to civil administrators over petrol dealers, warning of a potential nationwide strike if their concerns aren’t addressed.
Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan, alongside senior members like Malik Khuda Bakhsh, criticized the federal government’s move to shift regulatory powers from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to district-level officers such as assistant and deputy commissioners.
He made it clear that the association views this step as unacceptable and is prepared to take strong action. “A meeting with the petroleum minister is scheduled for Monday, May 26, to discuss the proposed amendment.
If our demands are not met during the meeting, we will proceed with a nationwide strike,” Khan stated.
While acknowledging the need for reforms to curb fuel smuggling, Khan voiced concerns that such changes could unfairly target legitimate dealers.
He also highlighted that despite repeated promises, there has been no increase in their profit margins for years.
Malik Khuda Bakhsh pointed out that the amendment would allow ACs and DCs to intervene directly at fuel stations, citing an example from Shah Faisal, Karachi, where a petrol pump fire incident involved a license issued by a DC.
He argued, “This is an outdated law, and such powers should rest with a regulator like OGRA.”
Another PPDA member, Raja Waseem, also criticized the move, saying that decisions affecting dealers are often made behind closed doors, involving only oil marketing companies (OMCs), without any input from the dealers themselves.