ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) announced on Saturday that prices of petroleum products would remain unchanged for the next 15 days. The prices remained unchanged despite indications that the government might pass on to the consumers some of the burden from price hike in the international market. It is believed that the decision was taken to avoid a public reaction in the upcoming elections.

The price has been frozen since April 2006 despite a steady rise in oil prices in the international market.

An Ogra notification said effective from Dec 2, the maximum ex-depot sale prices of motor spirit, HOBC, kerosene and light diesel oil would remain unchanged — at Rs53.70, Rs64.88, Rs35.23 and Rs32.57, respectively.

The government was providing a subsidy of Rs18.49 per litre on kerosene oil and Rs15.47 per litre on light diesel.