Pakistan announces Rs 35 hike in prices of petrol and diesel

The Pakistan government has increased the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 35 per litre with immediate effect. Following the devaluation of the rupee against the dollar, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday announced that the price of petrol and diesel will go up by Rs35 per litre. In a televised address, Dar also announced that the prices of kerosene oil and light diesel oil have been increased by Rs18 per litre. He said that speculation was rife on social media regarding an Rs50 increase in the prices of petrol and diesel. “Because of this, we have received reports of artificial shortages in the market.” “This rise is being done immediately on the recommendation of the oil and gas regulatory authority who said there were reports of artificial shortages and hoarding of fuel in anticipation of price rises — hence this price rise is being done immediately to combat this," he said.

After increase new rates will be-

Fuel prices as of 11am, Jan 29:

• Petrol: Rs249.80 per litre
• High-speed diesel: Rs262.80 per litre
• Kerosene oil: Rs 189.83 per litre
• Light diesel oil: Rs187 per litre

 Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan took to Twitter to criticise the price hike.

Total mismanagement of our economy by a corrupt & incompetent imported govt has crushed masses & salaried class with latest hike in petrol & diesel prices & Rs33/$ devaluation to Rs262.6/$. Elec & gas price hike & 35% unprecedented inflation expected with Rs200bn mini budget.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 29, 2023

A few days back, the government was mulling slashing the salaries of government employees by 10 per cent across the board.