Petrol prices: ‘President promises to review the decision’

President Zardari tells Altaf he will meet MQM representatives to address their concerns.

KARACHI: Amid growing criticism from the opposition and some allied parties on Monday’s increase in the prices of petroleum products, President Asif Ali Zardari is said to have assured the chief of a key coalition partner that the government will review the decision.

Speaking to Altaf Hussain, chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) over phone, President Zardari said that he and Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh will meet the MQM representatives on Wednesday (today) to address the party’s concerns.

According to media release issued from London, Altaf informed the president about the unease created by the government decision to increase the prices of petroleum products by close to 10 per cent.

On Monday, the MQM coordination committee rejected the increase and asked the government to review its decision within three days.

Altaf said that the raise in the prices of petroleum products would have a domino effect as it would lead to a sharp increase in the prices of daily-use items. This, he said, would add to the problems of the common man.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2^nd, 2011.