The strike called by the All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (APPDA) continued in Swat and Faisalabad on Thursday, with petrol pump owners rejecting the government's claim that negotiations had succeeded and suspending the supply of petroleum products.
Speaking to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Faisalabad chapter president Rana Fayyaz and Central Executive Committee member Mehr Owais said petrol pump owners had launched the strike after negotiations with the government failed to produce an agreement.
According to the TV channel, the suspension of fuel sales at several filling stations has made access to petrol increasingly difficult for motorists in Faisalabad.
Petrol was unavailable at most filling stations across the city, with the exception of selected Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and GO Petroleum outlets, leaving consumers facing long queues and inconvenience.
Motorists expressed frustration over the situation, saying fuel prices were already high and the ongoing shortage had added to their difficulties.
They urged the government to resolve the dispute quickly in the public interest.
The strike has also affected Swat and Upper Swat, where petrol pumps remained completely closed, temporarily disrupting fuel supplies.
Local authorities appealed to residents to avoid unnecessary travel and use available fuel sparingly until normal supplies resume.
The latest disruption follows conflicting announcements made on 22 July regarding the proposed nationwide strike.
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik had announced that the protest had been withdrawn after discussions with representatives of petrol pump owners and dealers.
However, All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association Chairman Humayun Khan rejected the government's claim, saying negotiations had failed and none of the association's demands had been accepted.
He maintained that the association did not recognise the minister's announcement and would continue the strike until its demands were met.
The dispute centres on dealers' margins and the government's petroleum pricing mechanism.
The petroleum minister has said the issue of dealers' commissions will be placed before the federal cabinet along with recommendations from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
He also pledged to work with dealers and pump owners to make the pricing and regulatory framework more transparent.
Despite those assurances, the association has insisted that the shutdown will continue, leaving consumers uncertain about fuel availability in several parts of the country.
Reporters: Haider Ali Jan, Aslan Durrani and Bilal Dogar