Talking to Pakistan Television Channel (PTV), he said that introducing tax free petroleum products would greatly help resolve public issues, adding that this measure was not being adopted anywhere in the world.
He said that the provision of subsidy by the government on petroleum products can also decrease burden on people, however, he added that giving subsidy would be a difficult step for the incumbent government.
Dr Hussain also said that asking for an extra budget to maintain prices would not prove to be helpful because the deficit would augment after utilizing this amount.
In reply to a question, Dr Hussain clarified that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) was responsible for changing prices of petroleum products, adding that the Ministry of Petroleum was not involved in the increment of prices.
“OGRA should be under the control of the Ministry of Petroleum, to manage it in an effective manner,” he suggested.
Senior Leader of the Pakistan People’s Party Mirza Ikhtiar Baig seconded the minister’s statement by saying that OGRA should be given under the control of the Ministry of Petroleum so that all matters pertaining to determining the price of petroleum and generation of energy could be addressed in a befitting manner.
Baig pointed out that in the present situation, the business community, the industrial sector and other departments were also demanding to put OGRA under the Ministry of Petroleum.
Speaking to the channel, Chairman Pakistan State Oil Sohail Wajahat Siddiqui said, "Collective efforts are required to resolve energy issues," adding that all the stakeholders need to come forward to resolve the energy crisis.
COMMENTS (6)
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As if we can trust this one...
Where in the world is energy "tax-free"?
"Tax free petroleum products subsidy can provide relief.Aasim" Very well said and august statement Mr. Aasim Hussain and would you like to explain that recently increased POL's prices up to 7 Rs./liter are relief for the nation??????? If this is relief then what shall be the difficulties and problems in your sight??????? Please give less hypocritical,fake,embellished,false and fabricated statements regarding giving reliefs to the nation in petroleum sector........
We are the only country in the world where the petroleum prices are linked with future trading price. The future trades are settled at the end of the month and whatever happens in between is pure speculation. The ministry is making profits on market speculation as this is not the delivery price.
What needs to be done is petroleum product sold to motor bikes in less then 5 litre quantity should be sold at discount rate,. Those petrol pumps who participate in this programme should install camera to monitor the programme and they should be re-imbursed for the cost of security camera
would not it be right to say petroleum companies should pay the cut directly to PPP and not the govenment, tax free is a bigger joke than democracy in Pakistan.
and so on OGRA should be abolished, better to put it under ministry.