The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association has announced a countrywide strike on July 5 against the government’s decision to impose a 0.5% advance tax, ARY News reported.
According to the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) chairman, Abdul Sami Khan, talks are scheduled with the government in Islamabad on Monday, but if they fail, petrol pumps across Pakistan will be shut down as planned.
Expressing his concern over the advance turnover tax, he said that the strike may be extended beyond a day if necessary.
The chairman urged the government to withdraw the tax immediately, stating it would make it impossible for petrol dealers to run their businesses.
Yesterday, the federal government increased the petrol price in the country by Rs 7.45 per litre for the next fortnight.
The Finance Division has officially issued a notification, fixing the new price of petrol at Rs265.61 per litre, up from the previous Rs258.16 per litre, further burdening the inflation-hit public.
Similarly, high-speed diesel (HSD) will now be available for Rs277.45 per litre, up by Rs 9.56 from the previous rate of Rs267.89 per litre.
It is important to mention that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led federal government proposed a 33 percent increase in the petroleum levy on petroleum products.
Similarly, the proposal sought a 50 percent increase in the levy on high-octane, light diesel, and ethanol. After approval of the proposal, Rs50 would be charged per litre on high-octane, light diesel, and ethanol.
