Shehbaz demands probe over petroleum levy

PML-N president questions govt’s move despite a decrease in the global oil market

ISLAMABAD: Condemning the whopping hike in the levy on petroleum products, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said such a move should be investigated through a parliamentary committee.

In a statement, he said: “The issue of looting billions of rupees from the nation under the garb of petroleum levy should be investigated through a parliamentary panel.”

The federal government the other day increased by up to 106 per cent the rate of petroleum levy on various oil products to raise additional revenue of Rs10 billion per month, at a time when it is facing a revenue shortfall of over Rs480 billion in the first eight months of the current financial year.

Elaborating the demand, he said that an inquiry should be conducted as to why the diesel price was reduced by Rs5 despite the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) suggestion of Rs12.04.

“How can the government talk about the poor people when it receives extra Rs10 billion per month in terms of petroleum levy,” said Shehbaz, adding that the decision to increase Rs25 on diesel, over Rs19 on petrol and the petroleum levy is a “burden on the people”.

Shehbaz, who is also the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, said the rise in kerosene prices has been at its highest level since 2009. He said that despite the decline in oil prices in the global market, the nation is being charged extra.

“There is a revenue deficit of more than Rs480 billion in the first eight months of the financial year,” the PML-N president said, “a 12.4 per cent increase in prices of eatable products is unbearable.”

Quoting his government’s last performance that also faced economic challenges, Shebaz claimed that during the 60-month period of the PML-N, inflation never went into double-digits.

“When flour and sugar thieves will be running the government, neither the poor will be able to eat nor will businesses run,” he asked the government.

It is pertinent to mention the premier during a ceremony in Layyah had admitted the government’s incapability to control basic commodities prices.

Sanaullah slams ministers

PML-N leader and former law minister of Punjab Rana Sanaullah has said the “corrupt ministers” of the PTI government are exposing themselves by calling each other liars.

In a statement, he said it is for the first time that the government’s ministers are calling out lies of their government. “This did not come as a surprise as the prime minister of this government is the liar-in-chief and the ace corrupt functionary of this regime,” he added.

Taking a jibe at the PM’s aide on information, he said: “When she [Firdous] will punish the ministers responsible for what she called was a dacoit through electricity and gas bills.” He claimed that “Firdous was upset ever since the PML-N shut its doors to her”.

He advised the government ministers to concentrate on the revival of the economy instead of “politicising Nawaz Sharif’s health”.

Sanaullah said: “Nawaz went abroad for medical treatment after completing all legal formalities. All legal obligations are being met and mandatory procedures agreed under the law being followed. All reports are submitted as told under the legal procedure.”

He added that no compromise would be made on Nawaz’s health no matter how much it “irks the PM”. Nawaz will be back as soon as he recovers, he added.