ISLAMABAD: In line with what Finance Minister Miftah Ismail announced earlier today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Petroleum Division on Sunday evening to keep the country’s petroleum prices at the current level.
“I am directed to refer to OGRA’s letter No OGRA-10-12(3)/2020, dated May 13, 2022, on the above subject and to say that the prime minister has been pleased to approve maintaining the prices of petroleum products at the level of April 16-30, 2022,” the Ministry of Energy said in a notification.
The government would maintain the price differential claims (PDC) of Rs47.02 per litre on petrol, Rs86.71 per litre on high-speed diesel, Rs51.83 per litre on kerosene oil, and Rs67.84 per litre on light diesel oil, according to the notification.
Earlier today, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail stated that the government had no plans to raise the prices of petroleum products for the time being.
In a press conference, the finance minister stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz has rejected the proposal to raise petroleum prices today, stating that the government cannot impose additional burdens on the people.
Later, on Twitter, he clarified that, while petroleum product prices will not be raised, for the time being, the government may have to “revisit the decision soon” due to changing circumstances and international oil prices.
During a press conference, Miftah criticised the PTI-led government, claiming that former finance minister Shaukat Tarin promised the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the government would eliminate all petrol subsidies.
