The Petroleum Ministry has clarified that no decision has been made regarding the deregulation of fuel prices and assured that petroleum dealers will be consulted before any move is finalized. The assurance comes amid threats of a strike by the All-Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (APPDA) if their concerns are not addressed by March 4.

The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Petroleum has directed the ministry to engage with dealers before making any final decision. Ministry officials confirmed that discussions are ongoing and no conclusive decision has been reached.

The chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) dismissed the strike threat as a misunderstanding, stating that dealers are concerned oil companies might reduce their profit margins under a deregulated system. To address these concerns, the committee has summoned OGRA officials and APPDA representatives for further discussions.

APPDA representatives criticized the government for excluding them from consultations, claiming that the petroleum minister’s earlier remarks about partial deregulation implied that the decision had already been made and was awaiting the prime minister’s approval. They also raised concerns about profit margins and the deregulation of lubricants and high-octane fuel.