Islamabad: Oil traders announced a nationwide strike on July 5 (Anna) against advance taxation in the budget for 2024-25.
It is expected that there will be shortage of petrol and diesel in the country on Friday. It could disrupt transport services in the country as it depends on the operation of petroleum products.
Khan expressed concern over the 0.5 percent advance sales tax included in the Finance Bill 2024-25.
He said that the gas station is not working. He asked the government to cancel it immediately or “we have no choice but to stop operations”.
The 2024-25 Finance Law, prepared under the supervision of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), was approved by the National Assembly at the end of June.
The union said on Wednesday that talks with the provincial and federal governments had failed and traders would be closed on Friday.
“They want us to call off the strike and promise to solve the problem, but we can’t postpone the strike just with guarantees,” the PPDA chief said.
Khan said meetings were held with top officials of the association, including the oil marketing company’s advisory board, but problems persisted.
He said that the 13th gas station will be closed from July 5 at 6 am and the strike may continue for the next few days if the demands are not met and the notice is not given.
The department has asked shop owners and operators to hold their stocks on July 4.
Meanwhile, media reports said the oil department has set up a monitoring house to monitor the fuel supply situation and coordinate with stakeholders during the strike by oil traders.
Representatives of the oil marketing company, Ogra and the petroleum department were appointed key people in the monitoring cell.
The FBR chief had earlier told dealers that the sales tax would be withdrawn, but the petroleum secretary said legislation was needed to reverse the process.
