PM Imran rejects proposed hike in petroleum prices

OGRA had proposed a Rs5.50 per litre hike in petrol price

ISLAMABAD:

To “save the people of Pakistan from inflation”, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday rejected a summary proposing hike in prices of petroleum products for a fortnight.

Earlier, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) had asked the federal government to increase petrol price by Rs11 and diesel by Rs14 for the first 15 days of February.

However, the government did not approve this proposal, revealed Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill.

Also read: Petrol price hits record high at Rs147.83 per litre

In a tweet, the SAPM said that while “oil prices were rising due to increasing inflation all over the world”, the government wanted to protect the people from inflation.

“Therefore, the prime minister has deferred this summary,” he added.

وزیراعظم نے پٹرول 11 روپے ڈیزل 14 روپے بڑھانے کی سمری کو منظور نہیں کیا۔ وزیراعظم نے کہا کہ پوری دنیا میں بڑھتی مہنگائی کی وجہ سے تیل کی قیمتیں بڑھ رہی ہیں لیکن پاکستانی عوام کو اس مہنگائی سے بچانے کے لئے حکومت ہر ممکن کوشش کرے گی۔ اس لئے وزیراعظم نے اس سمری کو ڈیفر کردیا۔

— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) January 31, 2022

It is worth mentioning here that the government’s decision to not increase fuel prices comes at a time when it is under severe criticism for not being able to control inflation.

Inflation in the face of unemployment and low income has curtailed the economic power of many citizens, and any measures that increase the burden on the masses are likely to be met with agitation and mistrust.

The opposition is already banking on the public’s frustration with repeated price hikes and constant inflation, and has decided to launch anti-government protests.