‘I am an easy target’: Miftah Ismail reacts to criticism after another petroleum hike

Finance Minister (FM) Miftah Ismail once again explained how the petrol prices are calculated after receiving criticism for the increase in petroleum prices.

Responding to senior journalist Hamid Mir on Twitter, he said the government has not imposed any tax on petroleum products.

Clarifying his position, the minister said that he did not say that the price will not be increased.

“Mir sahib I said I will not add one penny of new taxes or levies to the price. And I have not. But you know Hamid sahib that the fuel price summary is moved by OGRA and sent to Finance division through the Petroleum division. We get it only a few hours before prices are set.”

“I am an easy target. Which is fine. But this price change only reflects the change in PSO costs and doesn’t have any new taxes,” said Miftah Ismail.

The finance minister added that people are welcome to critique or criticise him.

“I know I am sincere to my country and have saved it from default and working to the best of my ability.”

Zardari unhappy with govt’s decision to increase petrol prices

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari distanced himself from the recent increase in the petroleum prices by the government.

Zardari said the PPP is a part of the government and supports it, but there must be consultations on such decisions.

“We are all here in this government to give relief to the people and that should be our top priority. We are with the prime minister and will meet him soon and talk about the economic team,” he added.

‘I am not involved in this decision’: Nawaz Sharif leaves party meeting over increase in petrol prices

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz took to Twitter and said that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was unhappy with the government increasing the petrol prices and as a result left the meeting.

“Mian Sahib strongly opposed this decision and even said that I cannot burden the people with one more penny. And if there is any compulsion of the government, I am not involved in this decision and he left the meeting,” tweeted Maryam.

She further tweeted, “I stand with the people. Cannot support this decision.”

The government increased the price of petrol by Rs6.72 per litre and decreased the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs0.51 and kerosene oil by Rs1.67 per litre.

Read more: Govt raises petrol price by Rs6.72 to Rs233.91 per litre

The price of light diesel oil (LDO) was raised by Rs0.43 per litre by the government.

Prior to this, the coalition administration had decreased the cost of petrol and LDO starting on August 1 by Rs3.05 and Rs0.12, respectively.