ISLAMABAD: Two days ahead of monthly review, federal government has literally dropped petrol bomb on nation by suddenly increasing prices of petroleum products by Rs.35 per liter, hours after OGRA refuted reports of hike in prices.
Popping up on screens of national mainstream media Sunday morning, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced that the new prices would be applicable immediately, thus resulting in millions of profits to petrol pumps owners.
پیٹرول اور ڈیزل کی قیمتوں میں 35،35 روپے فی لیٹر کا فوری اضافہ کردیا گیا pic.twitter.com/QjXKDCOrfm
— Muhammad Faheem (@MeFaheem) January 29, 2023
Dar said Kerosene oil and light diesel oil prices were jacked up by Rs18 per litre.
According to Ishaq Dar’s announcement, High Speed Diesel will now be available at the rate of Rs.262.80 per litre, Petrol Rs.249.80 per litre, Kerosene Oil Rs.189.83 per litre and Light Diesel Oil Rs. 187 per litre.
Reacting on the Dar’s announcement, prominent journalist Shahbaz Rana claimed that the prices of petroleum products were increased in order to meet IMF’s condition.
Another IMF condition met!
Govt increases petrol price by Rs35 per liter to Rs250and diesel also by Rs35 to Rs263.But Finance Minister says new decision is implemented from January 29 to discourage hoarding. The reason given for increase is admission of governance breakdown— Shahbaz Rana (@81ShahbazRana) January 29, 2023
The announcement by Ishaq Dar came hours after media reports that motorists across Punjab including the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad suffered a great deal of inconvenience as a good number of petrol pumps in different cities refused to supply fuel since Saturday evening after coming to know about government’s intention of increasing prices of petrol and diesel.
پیٹرول اور ڈیزل کی قیمت میں آج 35 روپے فی لیٹر اضافہ کیا صبح 11 بجے سے نئی قیمتوں کا اطلاق ہوا لیکن کل سے پمپس پر پیٹرول ملنا بند ہو گیا تھا۔۔
وہ کون تھا جس نے انکو پہلے سے خبر دی اور کروڑوں کمانے کا موقع فراہم کیا؟#PetrolDieselPrice— Nadia Mirza (@nadia_a_mirza) January 29, 2023
Interestingly, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) last night had refuted media reports concerning oil pricing, shortages of petroleum goods started in some cities including Lahore.
The OGRA refuted the rumors of petroleum shortage saying in a statement that inaccurate information concerning petrol and diesel pricing as well as news about rising oil prices have been circulating in the media and should be ignored in the interest of the general public.
Despite OGRA s explanation petrol pump owners in various parts of the country had ceased selling oil as a result of reports of a potential rise in petroleum product prices which has left citizens in tough situations.
