01 April 2004	Thursday	10 Safar 1425

KARACHI, March 31: The Oil Companies Advisory Committee (OCAC) on Wednesday reduced the ex-depot sale price of petrol by 18 paisa to fix it at Rs34.57 from Rs34.75 per litre. Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) have reduced diesel price by 33 paisa bringing it to Rs23.44 from Rs23.77 per litre.

The OCAC also reduced the prices of High Octane Blending Component (HOBC) by 65 paisa to Rs38.32 from Rs38.97 per litre. The rates of light diesel oil have also been slashed by 30 paisa, bringing it to Rs19.45 from Rs19.75 per litre.

The committee kept the price of kerosene oil unchanged at Rs21.98 per litre, says an OCAC's press release. The new prices will be effective from April 1 to 15. Like the past practice, the OCAC has not mentioned any price comparison of crude oil and product prices that have been effective during the last fortnight in the world markets, based on which the domestic prices have been revised.

The press release has also not mentioned the dollar-rupee parity that remained effective during the last 15 days.