ISLAMABAD: The supply of petroleum products was partially disrupted in parts of Pakistan on Friday after petroleum dealers announced a nationwide strike to protest the government’s decision to impose an advance tax on turnover that they said would adversely impact their businesses already reeling from high taxes and inflation.
The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) gave the strike call this week, calling on the government to withdraw an advance income tax of 0.5 percent imposed in the recently passed federal budget 2024-25. As a result, a majority of privately-owned fuel stations remained closed on Friday, while outlets operated by oil marketing companies were supplying fuel to consumers, according to local media reports.
Pakistan’s tax-heavy $67.76 billion budget for the new fiscal year came into effect on Monday amid an annual inflation projection of up to 13.5 percent for June. The ambitious budget with a challenging tax revenue target of Rs13 trillion ($46.66 billion) has drawn the ire of the government’s allies and opposition alike. The revenue collection target for the new fiscal year is almost 40 percent higher than the last fiscal year.
The PPDA has said its business of selling petroleum products is already taking a hit due to staggering inflation and high taxes in Pakistan.
“We are going on a nationwide strike starting July 5 and plan to close petrol pumps across the country,” PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan told Arab News on Wednesday. “Our demand is simple: the government should immediately withdraw the advance tax decision.”
Talks between the government and the association this week failed to break the deadlock between the two sides.
Khan warned that if the government does not reverse its decision, petroleum dealers would be forced to close their businesses for good.
“We are ready to discuss our concerns and possible solutions with the government,” he said. “We request the prime minister, petroleum minister and finance minister to immediately abolish this tax, otherwise we will be unable to continue running our businesses.”
‘BLACKMAILING TACTICS’
The government, however, says it will only listen to petroleum dealers’ “genuine concerns.”
Imran Ahmed, the director-general of oil at Pakistan’s petroleum ministry, rejected the strike call, saying the government would not entertain “blackmailing tactics.”
“We will not support the strike or such tactics,” he told Arab News on Wednesday. “This new advance tax applies to all traders, not only petroleum dealers.”
He said the ministry has instructed oil marketing companies to keep as many sites open as possible to ensure a smooth supply of petroleum products in the country.
“We have also instructed PSO [Pakistan State Oil] to ensure maximum supply and storage of petroleum products by keeping their sites open,” Ahmed said.
Pakistan fuel supply partially disrupted as dealers announce nationwide strike
https://arab.news/zkmjf
Pakistan fuel supply partially disrupted as dealers announce nationwide strike
- Petroleum dealers are protesting a government move to impose 0.5% advance tax on turnover
- Government says will not give in to ‘blackmail tactics,’ ensure smooth supply of fuel countrywide
India captain says will travel for Pakistan clash despite boycott
- Pakistan have announced they will boycott their match against India on Feb. 15 in Sri Lanka
- India need to be at the stadium on Feb. 15 to ensure they are awarded two points for match
MUMBAI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav said Thursday that his team would show up in Colombo for their T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, despite their Group A opponents and arch-rivals boycotting the match.
“We haven’t said no to playing them (Pakistan),” Yadav told reporters at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium, where India will begin their campaign against the United States on Saturday’s opening day.
“They are the ones who have said no. Our flights are booked and we are going to Colombo.”
India need to be at the stadium and ready to take the field for the February 15 match in order to make sure of being awarded the two points for a match forfeit.
The tournament, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, has been overshadowed by weeks of political posturing in the build-up.
Bangladesh were kicked out for refusing to play in India and Pakistan’s government then told its team not to show up at the clash of the arch-rivals as a show of support for Bangladesh.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments events.
India start the T20 World Cup on home soil with a great chance of retaining the title they won two years ago and Yadav agreed they were the side to beat.
“The way we have been playing, it looks like we are the favorites,” he smiled.
If that seemed like an overconfident statement, the India captain was quick to caution: “There are 19 (other) good teams in the tournament, though.
“On a given day, when you play, you have to bring your A-game and play good cricket.”
India know that their opening opponents, the United States, caused the biggest upset of the 2024 tournament when they beat Pakistan in a super over.
Yadav said no team would be taken lightly.
“I’m sure every game will be very important,” he said.
