ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Oil Tankers Contractors Association has called off its countrywide strike today (Friday) after ‘successful’ negotiations with the government.
Holding a press conference along with Oil contractors, Energy Minister Hammad Azhar announced that the government and the Oil Tankers Association were on the same page and their issues have been resolved.
“It has been decided that the association will continue the supply and delivery of oil,” he added. The federal minister added that things will not go wrong from now onwards as a strategy to resolve such issues has been formulated.
Talking about the power crisis, the minister said that the water level in the Tarbela Dam was very low right now, which is expected to improve in the coming two weeks. “The government is making every effort to avoid power crisis,” he assured.
Taking over the presser, the APOTHCA leader Taj Afridi said all the issues have been resolved with mutual understanding between the two parties as the government has decided to retract the decision to impose a 3 percent tax. “We have, therefore, decided to end the strike,” he added.
A day earlier, the Oil Tankers and Contractors Association had announced a countrywide strike across Pakistan. The strike had been called by the association over the increase in tax rates and other issues.
As per the association, the oil supply to Karachi and other areas of the country was suspended. On the other hand, the Oil Tankers Owners Association had distanced itself from the strike, adding that they would continue to supply oil to Karachi and other depots as per the usual routine.
