MULTAN, Dec 5: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday ruled out reduction in petroleum prices, saying the exchequer was already facing a deficit of Rs60 billion on the account. Talking to newsmen here, the premier said the government did not allow fuel prices to go beyond a certain level when prices were skyrocketing all over the world.
Oil prices had come down in the international market, he said, adding that these were still lower in Pakistan than in other countries of the region.
He said the government had not been earning revenue from the petroleum business, rather it was employing its resources to ensure that the prices did not go beyond the reach of average citizens.
The prime minister was in the city to attend the valima of MNA Khwaja Mohammad Sheraz.
Meanwhile, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon assured the National Assembly in Islamabad on Monday of an early revision in the oil prices, APP adds.
“The committee on oil prices meets every fortnight and it is under consideration to revise the oil prices at the earliest,” he said in response to a call-attention notice.
MNAs Farid Ahmed Piracha, Dr Ataur Rehman, Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, Mohammad Hussain Mehanti and Aisha Munawar had drawn the attention of the minister to the increase in petrol prices in the country despite reduction in the international market.
