Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in a recent meeting highlighted the issue of low-quality petrol affecting cars’ performance. During the meeting, Chairman PAC Noor Alam Khan criticized Petroleum Secretary, Ali Raza Bhutta for the low quality of Pakistan State Oil’s (PSO) Petrol.
The chairman further added that PSO’s petrol is substandard compared to other companies and he expressed himself as follows:
“After refueling with PSO petrol, the car gets dizzy”
Moreover, the Chairman directed the Secretary to improve PSO’s fuel quality as it makes car engines choke due to which engines lose both power and performance.
Furthermore, Chairman PAC also ordered to reduce the fuel prices and provide relief to the public as a gradual appreciation of the Rupee is seen and oil has become cheaper in the international market.
Read more: Maryam Nawaz says she ‘stands with people’ on petrol price hike
Additionally, the committee directed the Ministry of Petroleum to immediately restore the gas supply and reduce the salaries of the Heads of gas companies as economic uncertainty prevails in the country. According to the Chairman, the senior officials of gas companies have a monthly salary of Rs. 700,000 which should be reduced and maximum benefit should be provided to the public.
Amidst economic uncertainty, fuel price hikes were one of the major concerns of the committee as last week Finance Minister Miftah Ismail announced new fuel rates.
New rates
Petrol now costs Rs. Rs233.91 as compared to Rs. 227.19 and Light Diesel Oil has a new price of Rs. 191.75 compared to the previous rate of Rs. 191.32.
However, the price of Diesel has slightly decreased to Rs. 244.44 compared to Rs. 244.95, and Kerosene Oil has a new price of Rs. 199.40 against Rs. 201.07 showing a decrease of Rs. 1.67.
Read more: How can Pakistanis save petrol while driving?
In addition to the new price list, the current government has agreed to take Petrol Levy (PL) to Rs. 50 under a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Therefore, the Sales Tax would increase up to 17%.
Conclusively, a decrease in global fuel prices can be seen as a beacon of hope amidst economic uncertainty in the country.