Petrol pump operators in Pakistan have threatened a nationwide strike, citing unsustainable profit margins and opposition to the government's decision to review petroleum prices on a daily basis.
The retailers are demanding a fixed share of 8% per litre to cover operational costs and maintain viability amid volatile market conditions.
The dispute highlights the growing tension between fuel retailers and policymakers over pricing mechanisms.
By shifting to daily price reviews, authorities aim to align domestic pump prices more closely with international crude oil movements, but retailers argue this frequency erodes their ability to manage inventory costs and operational overheads effectively.
This development adds to a broader pattern of friction in South Asian energy markets.
In a related context, Nigerian regulators have recently warned petroleum marketers against using profits from expensive inventory acquisitions to justify maintaining high pump prices, signaling a regional trend of tighter oversight on downstream fuel distribution.