No change in petrol prices as PM Imran turns down Ogra's proposed hike

Published February 28, 2021
Prime Minister Imran Khan has turned down a proposal by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority for an increase in fuel prices. — AFP/File
Prime Minister Imran Khan has turned down a proposal by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority for an increase in fuel prices. — AFP/File

Prime Minister Imran Khan has turned down a proposal by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority for an increase in fuel prices, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill said on Sunday.

In a tweet, he shared a picture of Ogra's proposed prices and said: "Ogra proposed to increase the price of petroleum products from about Rs6-7 per litre. Prime Minister Imran Khan did not accept this proposal. There has been no increase in the prices of petroleum products. Despite the continuous rise in the prices of petroleum products in the world market, the prime minister did not allow it."

According to the document shared by Gill, the Ogra had made the following suggestions:

  • Petrol: Rs118.12 after an increase of Rs6.22

  • High speed diesel: Rs122.90 after an increase of Rs6.82

  • Kerosene: Rs86.56 after an increase of Rs 6.37

  • Light diesel oil: Rs79.23 after an increase of Rs5.78

The prices would have been effective from March 1. For the next 15 days, the prices of petroleum products will remain the same.

Ogra had proposed an increase in prices earlier this month as well, but the prime minister had turned it down. The decision had come as a break from continuous price increases for the previous five consecutive fortnights. This was despite an increase in international oil prices over the last 15 days.

Over the last many months, the government has been tweaking with petroleum levy rates instead of GST as levy remains in the federal kitty while GST goes to the divisible pool taxes and thus about 57pc share is grabbed by the provinces.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Taking cover
Updated 09 Jan, 2025

Taking cover

IT is unfortunate that, instead of taking ownership of important decisions, our officials usually seem keener to ...
A living hell
09 Jan, 2025

A living hell

WHAT Donald Trump does domestically when he enters the White House in just under two weeks is frankly the American...
A right denied
09 Jan, 2025

A right denied

DESPITE citizens possessing the constitutional and legal right to access it, federal ministries are failing to...
Closed doors
Updated 08 Jan, 2025

Closed doors

The nation’s fate has been decided through secret deals for too long, with the result that the citizenry has become increasingly alienated from the state.
Debt burden
08 Jan, 2025

Debt burden

THE federal government’s total debt stock soared by above 11pc year-over-year to Rs70.4tr at the end of November,...
GB power crisis
08 Jan, 2025

GB power crisis

MASS protests are not a novelty in Pakistan, and when the state refuses to listen through the available channels —...