KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) stalwart Syed Khursheed Shah and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Sunday has rejected the hike in petroleum products’ prices.
In a statement, former opposition leader in National Assembly Khurshid Shah has demanded the caretaker government to withdraw its decision. He also urged to provide maximum relief to the nation.
“We reject the increases in petrol, diesel and kerosene oil prices. Caretaker government should not follow in the footsteps of the former government and immediately withdraw the hike in prices, Khursheed Shah said.
Earlier, the caretaker government had hiked fuel prices for the second time in a month ahead of general elections 2018.
The petroleum price has reached Rs99.50 per liter after an increase of Rs7.54 per liter while the cost of high-speed diesel has recorded as Rs119.31 after a hike of Rs14.
Light diesel will be sold at Rs80.89 after Rs5.92 increase while kerosene price has become Rs87.70 after Rs3.36 hike.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Sunday said the second hike in the petroleum prices in a short span is unacceptable terming it a major blow to the poor.
The upward revision in the petroleum prices will damage the masses and the economy, therefore, it should be immediately taken back in the national interest, it said.
The government is increasing the prices of petroleum products with a rapid pace which amounts to pushing poor masses to hell that will also increase the crime rate, said Ghazanfar Bilour, President FPCCI.
In a statement issued here today, he said that price of petrol has been increased by Rs 7.54 per litre while the price of diesel has been increased by Rs 14 which will increase the price of necessities and cost of transportation.
The government should eradicate poverty and not the poor through the frequent hike in petroleum prices and other moves, he demanded.
Ghazanfar Bilour said that masses are being burdened beyond their power as the government has again decided to break their back by stoking inflation.
The government refuses to collect taxes from the elite and prefers to burden the masses and the business community reeling under multiple problems, he added.
He said that the recent increase in petrol prices will unleash inflation upon the poor people and demanded that the government revoke the order immediately.
The caretaker government should not remain unconcerned to the plight of masses who have nothing to do with the bad policy decisions, he demanded. – NNI