Pakistan’s petrol pump owners have announced an indefinite nationwide closure after talks with the government ended without an agreement. The petrol pump shutdown will begin at 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday night. The association rejected the government’s proposed daily fuel pricing system and called the plan unacceptable.

All Pakistan Petroleum Pumps Association General Secretary Nauman Ali Butt announced the decision in a video statement. He said negotiations with the Ministry of Petroleum failed. Therefore, the association decided to launch a nationwide strike.

Butt said the association cannot accept daily changes in petroleum product prices. He added that the proposed pricing mechanism would create serious challenges for petrol pump operators. As a result, the association rejected the government’s plan.

The association confirmed that petrol pumps across Pakistan will close from midnight. The strike will continue for an indefinite period until both sides reach an agreement. However, the association did not announce when the shutdown could end.

Earlier, the government approved a new pricing mechanism for petroleum products. Under the revised system, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) will announce ex-depot prices for petrol and high-speed diesel every day. Officials say the move will reflect international market changes more quickly.

Under the new mechanism, OGRA will calculate fuel prices using the average international oil prices of the previous seven days. However, the prices announced before the weekend will remain unchanged on Saturdays and Sundays.

The planned closure could affect motorists, transport operators, and businesses if the strike continues. Consumers may also face difficulties in buying fuel. Meanwhile, the government has not announced any further response to the association’s decision.

The petrol pump shutdown has highlighted the disagreement between the government and fuel retailers over the new pricing policy. Both sides remain divided, and the future of the proposed daily fuel pricing mechanism is still uncertain.