Pakistan’s oil tanker owners have given the federal government a 72-hour ultimatum to accept their long-pending demands, warning that they will launch a nationwide wheel-jam strike that could disrupt fuel transportation across the country.

At a joint press conference in Karachi, representatives of various oil tanker associations said they would hold the Petroleum Division and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) responsible if the protest goes ahead. They are demanding higher freight rates, a reduction in the White Oil Pipeline’s share of petroleum transportation, and an immediate halt to commercial fuel movement through the pipeline.

All Pakistan Oil Tankers Owners Association Chairman Abidullah Afridi said freight charges have not been revised for three years despite a 180 percent increase in motorway and National Highway Authority tolls. He argued that transportation rates must be adjusted to reflect the sharp rise in operating costs.

The associations also said talks with the government have continued for more than a year without producing any meaningful outcome. They alleged that the White Oil Pipeline is transporting a much larger share of petroleum products than originally intended, reducing the volume available for road transport and putting thousands of tanker operators at financial risk.

Meanwhile, petroleum dealers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have launched an indefinite strike in support of their own demands, leading to the closure of numerous fuel stations across the province.

The protest has affected petrol pumps in Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Chitral, Bajaur, Swat, Malakand, Shangla, and Buner, causing fuel shortages and disrupting travel for motorists and public transport.

The KP Petroleum Association is demanding an end to the daily fuel pricing mechanism and an increase in dealers’ profit margins, which it says have remained unchanged for the past eight years. The association has vowed to continue its strike until the government enters negotiations and addresses its concerns.