Pakistan

Petroleum products: Committee constituted to tackle price issues

PM suggested formation of the committee a month ago.

Express January 24, 2011

ISLAMABAD: The government on Sunday constituted an eight-member parliamentary committee to suggest ways to strike a ‘delicate’ balance between macroeconomic compulsions and socioeconomic considerations, with respect to price adjustments of petroleum products, in accordance with international rate fluctuations.

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani earlier this month had announced the formation of one such panel after his administration withdrew an almost nine per cent increase in fuel prices, following protests by opposition groups and masses.

Official levies on petroleum products is a lucrative earning avenue for the government, but it ends up hurting the masses that are already bearing the brunt of rising living costs.

Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Naveed Qamar will be the committee’s convener with representatives from almost all major political parties. Six members are from the National Assembly (NA), and the remaining two are from the parliament’s upper house.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will be represented by National Assembly members Mehtab Abbasi and Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan. MNA Sardar Khan Bahadar Seehar will represent the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is being represented by MNA Suhail Mansoor. MNA Munir Ahmed Khan from Orakzai is also a part of the committee. Finally, Haji Muhammad Adeel and Ghulam Ali will represent the Awami National Party (ANP), and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) respectively.

Also, the deputy chairman Planning Commission, along with the secretaries of finance and petroleum ministries, will also be members.

The committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow to open deliberations, and will furnish its recommendations by the month’s end, which is when the government takes its decision. Petroleum prices are adjusted in Pakistan on a monthly basis due to price variations in international markets, according to officials.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (2)

Ahmad Mujtaba Khan | 13 years ago | Reply It is a good decision by the government to bring this matter to the parliament instead of OGRA. The committee should now act in view of the current international prices, circular deb situation, current economic situation in the countary and the inflationary pressure already being faced by the people of Pakistan. As such we request a professional approach form the newly formed parliamentary committee and wish them "good luck"

Aisha Khan - Relationship | 13 years ago | Reply Price should be up!! In every country petrol prices are high, so shoulnt it be in Pakistan. Cycle culture should be promoted by the extra money. Petroleum usage will be reduced.

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