What happened
The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) said on Thursday, 13 August 2026, that negotiations with the government had failed, leaving petroleum dealers committed to beginning an indefinite nationwide strike from 15 August.
According to a statement by PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh, carried by The Express Tribune, the government refused during the talks to change the system of daily adjustments in petroleum product prices. The government did assure the dealers that it would discuss an increase of Rs1.34 in their margin, subject to approval by the federal cabinet.
“In view of the federal petroleum minister’s behaviour, the petroleum dealers’ delegation immediately left for Karachi and also called an emergency meeting of its executive committee,” the statement said. The association said its representatives remained committed to beginning the strike from Saturday morning.
Goods transport strike continues
The failure came as a separate nationwide goods transport strike continued. All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance President Malik Shahzad Awan said talks between the federal and Sindh governments and the alliance had also failed, and that transporters would continue their strike until their demands were accepted and a formal notification was issued.
“The federal government and Sindh government are not serious. Our nationwide strike will continue until our demands are approved,” Awan said, adding that the strike had run across Pakistan for six days. He urged transporters to “remain peaceful and not block roads anywhere”.
Background
Petroleum dealers had announced a nationwide shutdown of petrol pumps from 15 August after giving the government a 72-hour ultimatum, warning that dealers would not be able to keep operating if their demands were not accepted.
The dispute had been building for weeks. On 22 July, the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPOA) postponed a planned nationwide shutdown for two weeks after what the outlet described as successful negotiations with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, who assured dealers that their long-pending concerns would be addressed. The association also asked the Ministry of Petroleum to review the mechanism for determining fuel prices, and its vice chairman wrote to the petroleum minister on 7 August calling for a review of the policy under which prices are set daily.
Why it matters
A coordinated shutdown by fuel retailers could disrupt supplies at the pump, and the parallel goods transport strike already affects road freight. Both disputes centre on the margins earned by dealers and transporters rather than the headline price of fuel itself, and both remained unresolved after the latest round of talks. The government’s offer to examine a margin increase was contingent on cabinet approval, leaving the timing of any settlement open.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a summary of published reporting, not independent reporting. Details and the quoted remarks are as carried by the cited source, which was reviewed on 13 August 2026.
- The Express Tribune — "Petrol dealers to go on 'indefinite strike' on Saturday after talks with govt fail"13 August 2026 · The failed talks, the Rs1.34 margin proposal, the goods transport strike and the background to the dispute.
