Oil Tankers Association postpones strike, to hold talks with govt on July 20

KARACHI: The Oil Tankers Association took back its call for a strike on Friday, after the Petroleum Division assured them their demands would be conveyed to the relevant government departments.

Members of the Oil Tankers Association on Thursday had announced to discontinue fuel supply across the country to protest against the increase in income and toll taxes.

However, on Friday, the Petroleum Division assured the Oil Tankers Association their demands would be heard.  The association, after hearing this, had announced its decision to postpone its strike and said it would meet officials from the division on July 20.

Shoaib Ashraf, a representative of the Oil Tankers and Contractors Association had said the strike would continue until their demands are met.

“Government has invited us for a meeting on Monday, and we hope that the issues are to be resolved,” Ashraf said reported The News.

However, he added that fuel was still available at the stations. “Regular dispatch would be restored once we reach an understanding with the authorities,” he said.

In a written statement, the association said the strike would not be called off on mere commitments by the authorities. “We are going to Islamabad, but the strike would continue unless the government agrees to resolve our issues in writing,” they said.

Khan added that it seemed the authorities were not serious in resolving the issue as there had been no dialogue with the stakeholders.

Pakistan braces for another fuel crisis

Earlier, this week, the Oil Tankers Association had said it would go on a strike to stop its supply of the essential commodity against the increase in income, provincial service and toll taxes.

Petroleum dealers had said fuel stations across the country have started drying up as the oil contractors had continued with their strike.

President Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association Sami Khan had said tankers were on strike and a very limited quantity of fuel had been supplied to fuel stations.

“Demand declined on Friday due to rainfalls otherwise most of the fuel stations would have dried up by now,” Khan said. “If the issue is not resolved there would be a fuel crisis in the country.”

Petrol prices have risen by Rs25.58 to Rs100.10 per litre from its previous level of Rs74.52 per litre amid the lockdown-driven transportation shortage. Price of high-speed diesel shot up by Rs21.13 to Rs101.46 per litre from its previous level of Rs80.15 per litre.