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The consumers are likely to face a 11.4 per cent hike in the price of high-speed diesel widely used in different sectors in the country with effect from January 1, 2018.
The regulator has recommended an increase in the prices of petroleum products of up to 23.6 per cent after the rates of crude oil surged in the international market. The Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) received a summary from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on Friday that recommended an upward revision in oil prices.
OGRA proposes Rs1.48 per litre increase in petrol price
The OGRA recommended an increase of Rs 4.06 per litre (5.2 per cent) in the price of petrol, Rs 5.83 per liter (11.4 per cent) high speed diesel, Rs13.58 per litre (23.6 per cent) in the price of superior kerosene oil (SKO) and Rs12.49 per litre (24 per cent) in the price of light diesel oil (LDO).
In case the government approves the determination of the regulator about the increase in prices of various petroleum products, petrol price will go up to Rs81.53 per litre from the current Rs 77.47. The prices of SKO will go up to Rs 71.16 per litre from the existing Rs 57.58 per litre and the price of Light Diesel Oil (LDO) will go up to Rs 64.61 from existing Rs 52.12 per litre.
After deregulation of High Speed Diesel (HSD), the increase in Pakistan State Oil (PSO)’s weighted average ex-refinery price of HSD along with its IFEM has been worked out effective January. The PSO increased ex-refinery price of HSD by Rs 5.83 per litre and increase of Rs 0.21per litre in freight rates. After the increase, the weighted average price of HSD will go up to Rs 57.10 from existing Rs 51.27 and IFEM’s price will be increased to Rs 1.46 from Rs 1.26 per litre. The government has also deregulated margins of the oil industry on high speed diesel and they would determine its price based on weighted average price of PSO.
In the past couple of years – following a plunge in global crude prices – the government has burdened petroleum consumers with general sale tax and petroleum levy. The OGRA proposed GST rate on various products at 17 percent to maintain price stability and earn higher revenue.
On the recommended prices of OGRA, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will charge 17 per cent GST on petrol including LDO and SKO. Apart from 17 percent GST, the government is also charging petroleum levy up to 10.00 on prices of oil products.
According to OGRA recommendations, the budgeted petroleum levy is Rs 10 on Petrol, Rs 6.00 on SKO and Rs 3.00 per litre on LDO.
The summary was forwarded to the petroleum division as a routine practice. It will send the summary onward to the finance ministry and Prime Minister’s office for a decision. Under the practice, oil prices are revised on December 31.
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