Petrol pump owners warn of nationwide shutdown over unresolved issues

APPPOA requests Power Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik for an urgent meeting to deliberate on the concerns of petrol pump owners across Pakistan

KARACHI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-March 25^th, 2026) The All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPOA) has warned that it may shut down petrol pumps nationwide if the government fails to promptly address the challenges facing the petroleum sector.

In a letter addressed to Power Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, APPPOA Vice Chairman Nouman Ali Butt requested an urgent meeting to deliberate on the concerns of nearly 14,000 to 15,000 petrol pump owners across the country.

]He stated that if their grievances are not heard, the association would be left with no option but to suspend operations, a move that could trigger a fresh fuel crisis in the country.

The letter outlined multiple issues confronting the industry, including operational hurdles, financial constraints, pricing mechanisms, and disruptions caused by force majeure situations.

Butt emphasized that the association does not wish to create further disruption at a time when the country is already facing fuel and energy pressures amid regional tensions. However, he cautioned that continued inaction by authorities would place the responsibility for any resulting crisis on the government.

He also pointed out that stakeholders in the petroleum sector are often not consulted during key policy decisions and urged the government to involve petrol pump owners in future planning and policymaking.

The warning comes in the backdrop of a recent sharp increase in fuel prices, where the government raised petrol and diesel rates by Rs55 per litre, or around 20 per cent, citing global market pressures linked to geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions. The increase was reportedly higher than the rise in international prices, as authorities aimed to balance subsidies, particularly for diesel used in public transport and agriculture.

In response to rising fiscal pressure, both Federal and provincial governments have introduced austerity measures, including an additional weekly holiday, cuts in fuel allowances for officials, restrictions on protocol vehicles, and proposals to provide subsidized fuel to students.