Petroleum Dealers Reject Proposed Deregulation Of Petroleum Prices.

ISLAMABAD -- Petroleum dealers have rejected the proposed deregulation of prices of petroleum products and said that Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has so far not consulted them in this regard.

The rejection to proposed deregulation of the prices of petroleum products by the petroleum dealers surfaced during a ceremony of Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) which was held here in the federal capital under PPDA chairman Abdul Sami Khan. The petroleum dealers rejected the proposed deregulation of the prices of petroleum products and declared that they would go on countrywide strike if OGRA does not consult them before taking any final decision.

Former premier Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi in his address said that the government is all set to deregulate the prices of petroleum products because when the prices increase in the international oil market then the government has to jack up the prices and the masses has to bear the burden of hike in oil prices. He said that he is against the mechanism of petroleum price determination while the government has no link with the oil price determination. He said petroleum dealers should earn rightful profit from their businesses. He, however, deplored that some dealers were allegedly involve in less measurement and adulteration of oil. If dealers are given rightful profit then they would avoid indulging in any illegal practice, said Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi.

This govt has now approved due commission for the dealers and it is hoped that they would earn rightful earning from their businesses, Abbasi added. Speaking on the occasion, PPDA chairman Abdul Sami Khan said it is seriously ironic that OGRA has so far not consulted the dealers regarding the proposed deregulation of prices...