LAHORE, Sept 16: The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front has criticised the government for increasing diesel prices and described the decision as ‘detrimental’ to the interests of the industry.

Front chairman Irfan Qaiser Sheikh said, in a statement here on Tuesday, the increase in diesel price would result in further hike in the already high transportation charges. Trade and industry would have to raise the prices of products because of increase in transportation costs.

The increase in prices was likely to make Pakistani products uncompetitive in the international market and result in further decline in exports.

He expressed dissatisfaction at the cut in petrol prices and described it as ‘too little’. He said international oil prices had come down from the highest level, but the government reduced petrol prices by only Rs5 per litre against 40 per cent decrease in international oil prices.