Saeed Ghani censures Centre for not lowering petrol prices

Criticises PTI for not opposing MQM-P’s attempt to change Sindh’s territorial boundaries

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Information, Archives and Labour Saeed Ghani censured the federal government for ignoring the recommendations of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) pertaining to lowering the prices of petroleum products.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Ghani said that OGRA had recommended up to 2.6 per cent cut in the prices of petroleum products. “But the incompetent government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) did not pay heed to it,” he added.

According to Ghani, leaders of the PTI, including Prime Minister Imran Khan and former finance minister Asad Umar, had talked about a reduction in Petroleum Levy. However, said Ghani, now that they have come in power they are not paying attention to it.

“Petroleum Levy, which should be at around Rs8 to Rs9, is being charged at Rs15,” said Ghani. Criticising the government, he said that the Centre should have passed on the benefit of lower international oil prices to consumers. According to Ghani, the Muttahida Quami Movement - Pakistan (MQM-P) has submitted a bill in the National Assembly to remove Clause 4 of Article 239 of the Constitution. Ghani said that MQM-P was trying to achieve its ulterior motives through the National Assembly after its failure in the provincial assembly. He added that the PTI government did not oppose this move by MQM-P.

The amendment was sent to the Sindh government but when it was presented to the cabinet, Ghani told the press, the cabinet members expressed strong reservations over it.

Ghani remarked that the MQM-P wanted changes in Sindh’s territorial boundaries but this was not possible without the will of the provincial government. “The MQM-P lawmaker had the right to present such an amendment in the National Assembly but why did the PTI support it?” asked Ghani. Their allies also remained silent, he added.

Ghani asked why the parties who had always opposed the division of Sindh were silent on the issue. “Administrative units are being set up in Sindh but the Sindh government will not allow Sindh to be divided in any way,” said Ghani.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2019.