ISLAMABAD, May 12: The Pakistan People’s Party on Monday criticized the increase in power tariff and called for its withdrawal.

PPP Deputy Secretary-General Mian Raza Rabbani said in a statement the tariff raise of nine paisa per unit was arbitrary and unjust that would add to the miseries of the people.

He said the raise had come at a time when oil prices in the international market had declined, the benefit of which should have been passed on to power consumers.

Mr Rabbani said the reason given by the government that the raise was necessary because of the poor financial health of Wapda and the Karachi Electric Supply Company was untenable.