Petroleum dealers demand cut in prices

KARACHI: The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has demanded the government to pass on the benefit of declining oil prices to the public.

Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) Chairman Abdul Sami Khan said that keeping in view the massive decline in the international oil prices, the Pakistan government had not passed on the real benefit to the consumers.

"On the basis of the current oil prices petrol should be reduced by Rs5.45 / litre and diesel by Rs7.76 / litre on the next price review for February 2016."

He said that it was unfortunate that the government is using petroleum products as a source of revenue generation for the national exchequer and collecting Rs20 billion / month, ie, around Rs240 billion per annum in the form of various duties and taxes instead of passing on the benefit to the consumers.

Sami advised the government to take benefit of the lowest oil prices, while negotiating LNG prices with the government of Qatar to improve average energy mix to compete with the regional competitors and to boost exports.