ISLAMABAD: Protesting against the latest hike in petrol and diesel prices, the main opposition party, the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) staged a walk out of Friday session of the National Assembly.

At the start of the session, lawmakers belonging to several political parties chanted slogans and protested against the increase of about four per cent in the prices of petrol and other petroleum products for March.

The price of petrol has been increased by Rs3.53 per litre (3.42 per cent) to Rs106.60, that of high speed diesel by Rs4.35 (3.99 per cent) to Rs113.56, kerosene by Rs3.75 (3.76 per cent) to Rs103.69 and light diesel by Rs3.93 (4.2 per cent) to Rs98.25.

The decision for the price hike was announced Thursday following consultations among the companies, the petroleum ministry and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra).

Protesting against the increase, PML-N and MQM lawmakers staged a walkout of assembly hall in protest. MQM lawmaker Asif Hasnain said that Ogra had not consulted the parliamentary committee before issuing the notification of the price increase.

Lawmakers also chanted slogans against NEPRA during the NA session. State Minister for Water and Power Tasneem Qureshi complained that WAPDA had over 18,000 employees, all which were enjoying free monthly electricity.

The National Assembly was subsequently adjourned to 5pm on Monday.