Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail said on Tuesday while terming Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to hike fuel price said that the he had forwarded the summary sent to him by Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
He said that the prices of petroleum products started increasing from May and the government didn’t impose even a single rupee additional tax or levy. The levy on petrol was imposed on August 1.
He said that even our own people have also spoken against me on Twitter, the tax on petroleum products was not increased by even Rs1. The price of petrol has been increased after the prime minister’s approval.
Miftah went on to say that he thinks PM Shebhaz’s decision was fair and decision to increase fuel price was in the best interest of the country.
Earlier, the finance minister clarified that government has not imposed tax of even a single rupee on petroleum products. Finance Minister, who faced criticism from within his party as well as other cabinet members for hike in petrol price, defended the decision and said that increase in price will not affect supply and demand cycle.
The Minister said the present government has averted default by taking difficult political decisions and a beginning has been made to put the economy on sound footing.