ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chauhdry has defended the hike in petroleum prices, saying oil prices in Pakistan are still the lowest in the region.
In a series of tweets on Thursday, the information minister said the country imports oil, hence, prices will rise when there is an increase in the world market. This is the principle for the rest of the imports.
He said the real achievement is that the income of 75% of our population has also increased significantly. He added that fortunately Pakistan’s purchasing power is better than that of India.
While acknowledging the difficulties of the salaried class, he said 60% of the population is engaged with the agriculture sector which has received an additional income of Rs1,100 billion rupees. He said the income of millions of people associated with construction and industries has also increased.
پاکستان میں تیل کی قیمتیں اب بھی ریجن میں سب سےکم ہیں، یا تو تین سالوں میں تیل کے کنوئیں نکل آتے ورنہ ظاہر ہے جب آپ نے تیل باہر سے خریدنا ہے تو قیمت بڑھے گی تو قیمتیں بڑھیں گی، یہی اصول باقی درآمدات کیلئے ہے۔اصل کامیابی یہ ہےکہ75 فیصد آبادی کی آمدنی میں بھی خاطر خواہ اضافہ ہوا ہے https://t.co/vfggD1xaFx
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 16, 2021
The government had announced a Rs5 increase in the price of petrol, increasing the historic price of Rs123.30 per litre. According to a notification by the Finance Division, the price was increased due to the fluctuations in petroleum prices in the international market and exchange rate variation.
Besides petrol, an increase in other petroleum products will also be enforced starting September 16. High-speed diesel, with an increase of Rs5.01, will cost Rs120.04 per litre.
In addition, kerosene will cost Rs5.46 more and will be priced at Rs96.26 per litre, while light diesel oil will become Rs5.92 more expensive and cost Rs90.69 per litre.
Govt is robbing people
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reject the “massive” hike in the prices of petroleum products, saying that the government was “robbing” people.
Bilawal lashed out at the PTI government and said that the incumbent rulers have brought the petrol prices to a record high in the country. “The entire nation is crying due to record inflation and Khan Sahib is fiddling,” said the PPP chairman.
Talking about promises made by the PTI with the masses and tall claims of relief after the budget, Bilawal Bhutto asked, “Khan Sahib! When will the good days come for the nation?”
