Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh on Friday said the government had given Rs 35 billion subsidy on petroleum products during the last month. The finance minister said this while talking to media persons outside the Parliament House. He said despite increase in oil prices in the international market, the government had not raised oil prices for long time.
"Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) is an independent organisation, which decides about prices of petroleum products without any government interference," he said. Answering a question, the minister said the rise in global prices of diesel was 40 percent and petrol 35 percent while local increase in diesel is 18 percent and petrol 15 percent.
"The political parties should understand the difficulties of the government, and media should inform the public about the real picture of petroleum products," he added. Answering another question, he said Pakistan imports 85 percent of the required oil and its products from aboard. He added that the current increase in petroleum products is due to tense situation in Gulf countries. The minister said the government was taking measures to expand tax net in the country. He said in this regard the FBR has identified 0.7 million eligible taxpayers and notices have been issued to them.
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