A parliamentary panel on Wednesday came down hard on the government and criticised the hefty increase in petroleum product prices made a day ago.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources, in a meeting held here under the chairmanship of Sardar Talib Hassan Nakai, called on the government to take back the decision in order to provide relief to the people.
Nakai alleged that a statement of Petroleum Minister Asim Hussain, warning about an impending rise in oil prices, actually sparked black-marketing of petroleum products before the price revision. Following the statement, he said, petrol sales came to a halt and hoarding caused problems for travellers.
However, Hussain told The Express Tribune that he did not give any statement about expected increase in oil prices.
The committee also expressed resentment over the failure of Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) officials to submit the company’s audit report of 2006-07.
OGDC officials offered a detailed briefing on inquiries into embezzlement of funds but the committee members refused and told them to leave the venue.
Talking to the media after the meeting, Committee Chairman Nakai said the prime minister had not yet responded to calls for a meeting to discuss the oil price issue.
“We have written a letter to the prime minister for a meeting, but no response has been received,” he said and termed the increase in oil prices “unjust”, which would badly hurt consumers.
Additional Petroleum Secretary Nadeem Malik has assured the committee that the ministry would investigate the matter and take action against the officials responsible for corruption.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd, 2012.
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