ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday has rejected a summary moved by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to increase the petroleum prices for the next fortnight by approximately Rs11.53 per litre.
According to a statement issued by the PM Office, the Prime Minister turned down the proposal in order to provide relief to the people. “The government is prioritising relief for the citizens instead of passing on the impact of global inflationary pressures,” it added.
“The additional burden of higher prices, as suggested by OGRA, which would have been transferred to the citizenry, will instead be borne by the government,” the statement further added.
As per the statement, OGRA had in fact suggested a Rs11.53 increase in the per litre price of petrol, an Rs8.49 increase in the price of high-speed diesel, Rs6.29 increase in the price of kerosene oil, and a Rs5.72 increase in the price of light diesel.
The government had last increased the per litre cost of petrol by Rs10.49 and high-speed diesel by Rs12.44 on October 16. Earlier reports had suggested that the government may increase petrol prices by up to Rs6.5 per litre for the next 15 days.
Fluctuations in petroleum prices in the country depend on adjustments to taxes, fluctuations in oil prices in the international market and the rupee/dollar exchange rate. For now, the price of petrol, the most commonly used fuel in private transport, remains at Rs137.79 per litre.
