- PTI says the new rates are compounded by additional taxes.
- Rana Sanaullah urges opposition to move beyond politics.
- Subsidies and relief announced for the public: Sanaullah.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans to convene an All Parties Conference (APC) of “like-minded” parties in response to the massive rise in prices of petroleum products.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan made the announcement during a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, criticizing the PML-N-led government for the sharp rise in fuel prices.
While acknowledging the impact of the war in the Middle East, he said the government has excessively increased fuel prices, even surpassing the increases seen in Nigeria and Vietnam.
The PTI announcement comes after the sharp rise in prices of petroleum products that occurred on Thursday.
In a press conference along with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik announced the increase in gasoline and diesel prices, citing rising global energy costs, caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East.
“The new price of petrol has been fixed at Rs 458.41 per liter, an increase of Rs 137.23 per liter. Diesel will now cost Rs 520.35 per liter, an increase of Rs 184.49 per liter,” he said.
However, the PTI rejected the increase and party leaders said the new rates were compounded by additional taxes.
During today’s press conference, PTI leader Taimur Saleem Jhagra said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier announced the reduction in fuel prices.
“Today the prime minister cannot face the public,” he added.
Jhagra alleged that the price increase was amplified by additional taxes, including an increase in customs duties.
However, the Prime Minister’s advisor Rana Sanaullah defended the recent fuel price measures, emphasizing the subsidies and relief announced for the public.
In a televised speech, Sanaullah said that “some elements were trying to mislead the public” under the current conditions.
He urged the opposition to overcome political interests and cooperate with the government to strengthen the country.
Sanaullah explained that austerity measures and targeted aid were being implemented, and said the prime minister chaired a meeting on Thursday to ensure citizens receive help.
Farmers and motorcyclists are supported and subsidies are provided to stabilize freight transportation costs, he added.
Sanaullah said the government made every effort to keep prices low despite regional tensions that led to increases in fuel costs.
He warned that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could have serious consequences around the world, including Pakistan.
