Yet another fuel bomb

Saturday, August 04, 2012 - Not so quite unexpectedly, the Federal Government has thrown yet another fuel bomb in the latest fortnight review in an unmindful manner as to what adverse effects the substantial increase in POL products prices would have on its own people in particular the commuters and motorists. This is like throwing salt on the wounds of the people who are already hit very hard due to lingering electricity load shedding for long hours in an unashamed and unabated manner forcing them to take to the roads and streets in violent protests.

The Federal Government, according to reports, has again disregarded recommendations of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to keep the POL products prices unchanged in order to protect the consumers against a new surge in prices of goods and transport fares. Needless to mention here that the highest 8.9 per cent increase in the prices of petrol and CNG to maintain the difference between the two competing fuels used by lower income group consumers using small cars, motor bikes and rickshaws. The fortnightly review of POL products is linked with the prices of these products in the international market. But strangely enough, the government is pretty slow in passing on the benefit to the consumers when the oil prices decline internationally but in sharp contrast is very quick to pass on any rise that may have occurred.

—Lahore