ISLAMABAD: Just days before its departure, the government on Tuesday announced to increase the petrol prices by Rs19.95 per litre to Rs272.95 for the next 15 days.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced the same early in the day.
The finance minister appeared on television to say that the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) and petrol in the international market had increased over the last 15 days.
Dar said the matter was discussed with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier today. “We all know that the international commitments we have with the IMF regarding the petroleum levy, if they weren’t there […] then we would’ve announced a smaller increase but everyone knows we have a standby agreement,” he said as he mentioned how the PTI government reneged on its promises with the global money lender.
“So in the country’s interest, it is necessary that the minimum increase calculated be passed and HSD is being increased by Rs19.90 and the new price will be Rs273.40. And petrol price is being increased by Rs19.95 to Rs272.95,” Dar added. He said the new prices would be effective immediately.
