Govt delays increasing petroleum prices

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The government has delayed the decision to raise the price of petroleum products, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan announced on Tuesday.

In a news conference following the Federal Cabinet meeting, Awan said the summary of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to raise petroleum prices was reviewed. “Realizing problems faced by people, the prime minister decided to send this matter to the ECC and a decision will be taken later,” Awan said.

In its summary sent to the Ministry of Finance, OGRA had recommended an increase of Rs14.37 in the per litre price of petrol.

OGRA also recommended an increase of Rs4.89 per litre in the price of high-speed diesel. Sources said the body had recommended a price hike of Rs7.46 per litre in kerosene oil and Rs6.40 per litre in light diesel oil prices.

The prices of petrol and diesel are already at their highest level since the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government came into power after the party won general elections in July 2018.

Last month, the government increased the per litre price of petrol and high-speed diesel by Rs6 to Rs98.89 and Rs117.43 respectively, and of light speed diesel and kerosene oil by Rs3 to Rs80.54 and Rs89.31 per litre respectively.