Opposition slams hike in petrol, diesel prices

Opposition leaders, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif, on Monday slammed the federal government over its decision to increase the prices of all petroleum products by up to 6.45% the month of April.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz took to Twitter and called for the government to take back the decision as per which petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs6 per litre.

"The government should take back the bewildering increase in petrol and diesel prices. The 'tsunami of inflation' has made life extremely difficult for the Pakistani nation," he said.

Shehbaz further questioned, "Why do Imran Khan's hands not tremble when signing orders for increase in prices?"

Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman also criticised the government's decision and said, "Petrol/diesel/electricity prices skyrocket; meteoric rise in gas bills cripples 90 pc of Pakistan; 33 pc devaluation of rupee, hike in central bank’s policy rate by 450 points! Welcome to high-delivery #NayaPakistan. Brings IMF to your doorstep even before signing. One tabdeeli at a time."

Sindh Chief Minister's adviser Murtaza Wahab also took to Twitter to slam the decision.

"Prime minister had told the nation of good news in three weeks. It was rumoured that oil has been found along the coast of Karachi. People were excited until were were informed that petrol price has been increased by Rs6. But I must say our PM is honest, good looking and he won the world cup," Wahab tweeted.

The federal government on Sunday increased the prices of petroleum, oil and lubricants, with petrol and diesel going up by Rs6 per litre.

The new price of petrol will now be Rs98.89 per litre while the price of high speed diesel will be Rs117.43 per litre.

Similarly, the prices of light diesel oil and kerosene oil went up by Rs3 per litre each, taking them to Rs80.54 and Rs89.31 per litre, respectively.