Oil tankers association calls off strike after contact with Petroleum Division

KARACHI (92 News) – The Oil Tankers and Contractors Association on Friday called off their strike after invitation for talks from the Petroleum Division. It is pertinent to mention here that the association was protesting for an indefinite period from Thursday against the increase in income tax, provincial service and toll taxes. According to the reports, the office-bearers of the association have been called to Islamabad for a meeting on July 20, to resolve the issue. The Petroleum Division has ensured to communicate their due demands to the concerned authorities. Due to the strike of the Oil Tankers and Contractors Association, the supply of petroleum products remained suspended across the country. Earlier a day, the Oil Tankers and Contractors Association has announced the countrywide strike against the increase in income tax, provincial service and toll taxes for an indefinite period. Oil Tankers and Contractors Association President Abid Afridi announced to cut off oil supply to the entire country after the government failed in resolving their issues. He also said their sector worked 24 hours and continued oil supply across the country during the coronavirus pandemic. A day earlier, the oil tankers association had announced that it will discontinue supply across the country to protest an increase in income and toll taxes. “There is no business and they have increased the tax,” association’s president Abidullah Afridi said. “If the problems are not resolved, then we will observe a strike on July 16.” He threatened that they would go on an indefinite strike if the government didn’t withdraw the hike in taxes.