KARACHI, June 6: The Action Committee for Civic Problems (ACCP) has urged the government to withdraw the recent hike in petroleum prices as it has hit every section of the society including common-men, transporters and industries.

Speaking at a “People’s Assembly” at the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) House on Thursday, the representatives of various sections of the society said that there was no justification of the recent price hike.

Presided over by chairman of the Committee, Baseer Navid, the action committee decided to observe a strike on June 25 if the petroleum prices are not reduced.

The participants urged the government to dissolve the Oil Companies Advisory Committee and said that it could not be given powers to decide unilaterally. The powers of fixing the petroleum prices should be restored to the government, the participants demanded. They further demanded that a regulatory committee comprising people’s representatives be formed for that purpose. The meeting also urged the government to withdraw all the taxes on petrol and diesel.

A participant said that in the international market the petroleum prices had come down to US$ 22 dollars per barrel, whereas the exchange rate of Pakistan rupee verses US Dollar had also come down, so there was no justification for increasing the prices of oil products.

They said that people had already been hit by price hike in the country, and the recent increase in petroleum prices would further aggravate their miseries.

Those who participated in the People’s Assembly on the occasion included Babar Ghauri, Saleem Bangash, Jan-e-Alam, Abdul Azim Khan, Arshad Khan Hazarwi. Office-bearers of a number of transporters’ association also attended the meeting.

—APP