Summary Making matters worse, petrol pumps are charging more than settled rates.
(WebDesk/DunyaNews) - Keeping in view the decline in the value rupee, finance ministry increases the sales tax on petrol. The prices of basic necessities followed suit. Resultantly, transporters increased the fares, furthering the worries of the people.
Sudden price hike in petroleum products has baffled the masses. Caretaker government during its 30 days’ tenure augmented the prices for the second time. As a consequence, the prices of basic necessities also surged; transporters increased the fares to manifold. Political parties rejected the increment.
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Hundreds and thousands of commuters travel inside the country every day; price hike creates a wave of anger among them. Photo: File
Putting blame on international changes
According to the sources of acting finance minister, the government has made changes keeping in view the increment at the international level. Meanwhile, considering the increment in the prices of petrol, FBR has issued notification of alteration in prices.
Acting finance minister, giving the permission to change the rate of GST on petroleum products, imposed 17 per cent tax on petrol, kerosene oil, and light diesel while the rate of GST on high-speed diesel is 31 per cent. Before this, according to 12 June notification concerning the GST on the prices of petroleum products, the rate of GST on petrol and kerosene oil was 12 per cent, on light diesel it was 9 per cent, while on high-speed diesel, it was 24 per cent.
Also read: Interim govt increases prices of petroleum products ahead of general polls
Prices of petroleum products and eatables go hand in hand with each other
As the prices in petroleum products augmented, the prices of vegetables and fruits followed suit. The price of tomatoes increased from 16 to Rs41 per kg. On the same track, price of garlic was set at Rs90 per kg. The price of ginger and green chilly rose to Rs196 from 160 and Rs64 from 54 respectively. According to estimation, after 15 per cent increase in petroleum products, the rate of dearness jumped to 17 per cent.
Transporters on their own increased the charges and on various routes, the transport fares were increased from 50 to 100 rupees. Keeping it into consideration, commuters are suffering a lot. Making matters worse, petrol pumps are charging more than settled rates. It has been observed that the price of petrol has been raised to Rs99.50 from Rs91.96. While at various petrol pumps of provincial capital, the price has rushed to Rs100.4.
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People lining up in a petrol pump in Lahore. Photo: File
Political point-scoring on the rise
PPP leader Khurshid Shah asked the caretaker government to take the increment back as it would cause a new wave of price hike. He was of the view that the reality of previous government superficial economic development has been exposed. He demanded that acting government should not follow the footsteps of preceding government and should reverse addition in the prices.
Also read: PPP rejects hike in fuel prices, demands to withdraw decision
On the other side, PTI leader Asad Umer declared the previous government liable for the situation. PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique stated that ex-government could not be blamed for the deteriorating situation and price hike. Thus, it was only the propaganda against his government. Till the time, PML-N remained in government, exchange reserves and price of rupee remained stable. He further added the credit of dearness and flagging economic condition goes to Asad Umer and his companions who demonstrated against the government and are shedding crocodile tears now.
