ISLAMABAD, March 1: The Pakistan People’s Party criticizing the decision of the Oil Companies Advisory Committee of increasing the petroleum prices has said that it will have crippling effects on the common man.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the acting secretary- general of the party, Mian Raza Rabbani, said that the PPP would raise the issue in the parliament to expose the committee, which was working to maximize its profits at the cost of working class.

He said: “The government should review the increase in the oil prices and also consider subsidy to provide relief to the common people.”

Mr Rabbani said: “On Feb 15, the committee had raised the prices of diesel by Rs1.65, petrol by Rs1.55 and kerosene oil by Rs1.58. On March 1, the price of diesel were again raised by Rs1.69, petrol by Rs1.23 and kerosene oil by 91 paisas. Thus in 15 days the diesel price has been raised by Rs3.34, petrol Rs2.78 and kerosene oil by Rs2.49.

“This unprecedented increase in prices shows anti-people’s attitude of the PML-Q. As such it will have an adverse effect on agriculture, industry, exports and the sagging economy.

He said that the salaried and working classes were the most affected ones.