Govt 'recklessly' increases per litre petrol price by Rs5.40, diesel by Rs2.54

However, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) had recommended Rs11.40 increase in petrol price. 

وزیرِ اعظم نے اوگرا سفارشات کے برعکس عوامی مفاد میں پٹرول کی قیمت میں محض 5.40 روپے فی لیٹر اضافے کی منظوری دی ہے۔ ڈیزل کی قیمت میں 2.54 روپے فی لیٹر، کیروسین کی قیمت میں 1.39 روپے فی لیٹر اور لائٹ ڈیزل کی قیمت میں 1.27 روپے فی لیٹر کی اجازت دی گئی ہے۔

— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) July 15, 2021

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill made this announcement in a tweet on Thursday.

The price of diesel has been upped by Rs2.54 per litre, diesel Rs1.93 per litre, and Light Diesel by Rs1.27, the tweet further said.

Gill said government would bear the extra burden as Prime Minister Imran Khan approved Rs5.40 per litre petrol price against the OGRA's recommendation. He claimed that the citizens are being provided 'big relief'.

The prices will be applicable from 12am today. The latest incraese in POL prices has been again linked with the international prices.

The government has increased the prices of petroleum products second time in the last 15 days as the government had previously increased the prices of all petroleum products by up to 4.7 per cent.

PPP's Murtaza Wahab rejects increase

Pakistan Peoples Party leader and the Sindh government's spokesman Murtaza Wahab has rejected the increase in POL prices, terming the increase a cruel step.

He lamented Prime Minister Imran Khan for announcing increase only by revising down the price recommended by OGRA, saying the government's spokesman start speaking high of the premier for announcing less increase.

"The government doesn't bother the difficulties and sufferings of masses," Wahab said and demanded to withdraw increase forthwith.