ISLAMABAD - Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources (MPNR) has assured the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association that it would ensure Rs1/litre increase in the margin of oil dealers on petrol and diesel after getting the nod of economic coordination committee.   Well-informed sources told that secretary petroleum Abid Saeed has presided over a meeting with oil dealers in the premises of ministry of petroleum & natural resources on Thursday. Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association Chairman Abdul Sami Khan attended the meeting along with official of the ministry to discuss the margin of dealers of petroleum products. The secretary petroleum has assured the dealers that the ministry would ensure increase in the margin, however after getting the necessary approval of ECC. 
During the meeting Abdul Sami Khan raised the demand of Rs1/litre increase in the margin of the dealers on petrol and diesel as cost of doing business has increased due to certain reasons. Chairman Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association briefed the meeting that oil and power price hike has so far added miseries to the business of oil dealers so doing business in present situation has become impossible.
The sources also told that Chairman Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association has warned the govt to jack up the margin otherwise oil dealers would go on strike. In other case, the consumers would have to compromise on quality and quantity as well if margin is not increased, they added.
Interestingly, Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association had written a letter to the Prime Minister asking him to give increase in the margin of oil dealers. The premier had referred the matter to the petroleum ministry to amicably resolve the concerns of dealers.
At present, PIDE is engaged in a study to determine the margin of oil dealers. The PIDE is conducting research study as per the decision of federal cabinet’s ECC and is likely to submit findings and recommendations in this regard to the petroleum ministry during next 15 to 20 days.
As per sources, the ministry of petroleum would table the recommendations of PIDE in the ECC for necessary approval with regard to increase in the margin of petroleum dealers.