Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday once again criticised the government for its major hikes in petroleum prices — following the closure of Hormuz Strait — and termed them a burden on the common citizen.
Earlier this month, the government hiked the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel by Rs55 per litre to manage the impact of the US-Israel war on Iran, which has triggered a global oil crisis affecting many countries, including Pakistan.
Although Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week said he had twice rejected recommendations for further increasing petrol and HSD prices, they effectively remain unchanged at Rs321.17 and Rs335.86 per litre, respectively.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore today, the JI chief said the 20 per cent increase in the petroleum development levy (PDL) had pushed prices to Rs120–125 per litre, affecting journalists, students, workers, and riders.
“The government can reduce petrol prices by cutting the levy,” he suggested, adding that thermal power units using petrol should also see immediate reductions.
Rehman linked rising prices to broader government mismanagement and called for investigations into agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), claiming the economy is under strain in what he described as a “war-like situation”.
He claimed: “Even if we remove the levy, the IMF (International Monetary Fund) argues that targets will not be met, but no Pakistani company has the capacity to challenge the government in an international court under the current system.”
In the government’s latest move aimed at absording the impact of the global oil crisis, PM Shehbaz on Sunday announced a Rs200 per litre increase in the levy on high-octane fuel, a premium-grade petroleum product used mainly in luxury vehicles.
“This decision will reduce the burden on the economy; the richest class in the country will bear the burden,” a statement by the PM’s Office said.
Assails Trump for Middle East war
Rehman also criticised the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, stating: “The war should stop, and it has become clear that the US and Israel have suffered a defeat. They attacked and claimed they would change regimes.
“They even celebrated the assassination of Ayatollah Khomeini,” the JI chief added, referring to Iran’s slain supreme leader.
