The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has announced a nationwide strike starting July 5, in response to the government’s decision to impose a 0.5% advance turnover tax in the recent budget. According to PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan, this additional tax burden threatens to destroy the already struggling petrol pump business, which is operating with minimal profit margins amidst high inflation.
Khan emphasized that the dealers have no choice but to close their businesses due to the unfair tax, and that they have been unable to get satisfactory answers from the finance minister regarding their concerns. The PPDA is demanding the government abolish the advance income tax within four days, failing which they will shut down petrol pumps across the country.
The association, representing 14,000 dealers, has made it clear that if their demands are not met, they will take strict action by closing all petrol pumps in Pakistan on July 5.