Petrol Shortage Expected As Oil Tankers Go On Strike

Petrol shortage is expected across the country as All Pakistan Oil Tankers Contractors Association (APOTCA) has announced a countrywide strike to suspend supply of petroleum products for an indefinite period.

The Pakistan Oil Tankers Contractors Association (APOTCA) has said that the strike will not be called off unless their demands are met by the government which may lead to a severe petrol shortage across the country.

“We would remain on strike until our demands are fully met,” said APOTCA President Abdullah Afridi.

He also shared concerns over the Oil Tankers Contractors and Owners having spent billions to upgrade their vehicles, however, the Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) are laying down White Oil Pipeline from Karachi to Punjab for transportation of oil to the upcountry.

The OMCs are currently dispatching around 60% of diesel supplies through the pipeline while upgradation is being done to transport petrol as well. However, the APOTCA President has demanded 50% quota in the White Oil Pipeline (WOP), which means that marketing companies should only be allowed to transport 50% of oil supplies upcountry suing the pipeline while the rest are transported through oil tankers by road.

Furthermore, APOTCA has brought up the issue of ‘computerized system’ introduced by OMCs. The APOTCA President Abdullah Afridi said that OMCs were prioritizing the filling of tankers owned by influential people while others had to wait comparatively longer.

Moreover the association also demanded a cut in taxes as previously promised by the government. “The government had promised to cut rate of tax on us to 2% in the budget (for FY-22) from 3%. However, the rate of tax has remained unchanged at 3%,” said Afridi.

If the All Pakistan Oil Tankers Contractors Association (APOTCA) continue their strike, it may result in a petrol shortage across the country. Therefore, the government needs to take notice and resolve this issue.

Read more: Petrol prices in Pakistan increased from 16 June 2021.

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