ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is going to increase the levy on petroleum products, the country’s finance chief told the local media on Saturday, days after the government jacked up oil prices to a record high.
The government on Thursday increased the price of petrol by Rs8.03 to Rs145.82, of high-speed diesel by Rs8.14 to Rs142.62 per liter, of kerosene oil by Rs6.27 to Rs116.53 and of light diesel oil by Rs5.72 to Rs114.07 per liter.
The planned increase in the petroleum development levy would come on the recommendation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the prime minister’s adviser on finance Shaukat Tarin told the local broadcaster Geo News.
“The International Monetary Fund has also asked to increase the petroleum development levy but it will depend on the global prices of petroleum products,” he said.
“We have to increase levy by some percentage ... when and how we will increase, it all depends on the oil prices. If there is dip in oil prices, it will be easier for us to increase levy.”
The planned increase is likely to result in further hikes of petroleum prices, for which Prime Minister Imran Khan is already facing criticism.
On Friday, Khan defended his government’s decision to increase petroleum prices saying the rates in Pakistan were still the lowest in the oil importing world.
“India is selling one liter of petrol for Rs250 while Bangladesh is doing that for Rs200,” he said during a public rally in Attock. “Pakistan is selling it for Rs146. If we count out the oil producing nations, Pakistan is offering diesel and petrol at the cheapest rates in all the oil importing countries.”
Days after oil price hike, Pakistan to increase petroleum levy — finance chief
https://arab.news/863kt
Days after oil price hike, Pakistan to increase petroleum levy — finance chief
- Last week, the government jacked up petroleum prices by up to Rs8.14 per liter of high-speed diesel
- Shaukat Tarin says the planned increase in the petroleum development recommended by IMF
Afghanistan fires at Pakistani jets over Kabul as conflict intensifies
- Violence follows air strikes inside Afghanistan this week Pakistan says targeted militant infrastructure
- Pakistan says operation against Afghan forces ongoing, security forces destroyed Afghan posts, camps
KABUL: Afghanistan said it was firing at Pakistani jets in Kabul after blasts and gunfire rocked the capital on Sunday, compounding instability in a region rattled by US–Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks on US targets in Gulf states.
The Taliban-ruled state has suffered Pakistani strikes against government installations over the past week following accusations, which it denies, that it harbors militants.
The heaviest fighting in years between the neighbors has raised fears of a protracted conflict along their 2,600-km (1,615-mile) border, with several countries including Qatar and Saudi Arabia calling for restraint and offering to help mediate a ceasefire.
Explosions echoed across parts of Kabul before sunrise, followed by bursts of gunfire, a Reuters witness said. It was not clear what had been targeted or whether there were casualties.
Taliban administration spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the sounds were the result of Afghan forces targeting Pakistani aircraft over the capital.
“Air defense attacks were carried out in Kabul against Pakistani aircraft. Kabul residents should not be concerned,” Mujahid said.
Pakistan’s prime minister’s office, information ministry and military did not respond to requests for comment.
The violence follows air strikes inside Afghanistan this week that Pakistan said targeted militant infrastructure. Afghanistan described the strikes as a violation of sovereignty and announced retaliatory operations along their shared border.
Iran, which shares borders with both Afghanistan and Pakistan, had offered to help facilitate dialogue before itself coming under attack on Saturday from Israel and the US bent on diminishing Iran’s military capability.
ACCUSATION AND ESCALATION
Pakistan has said Afghanistan harbors Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, which it said are waging an insurgency inside Pakistan.
Afghanistan has denied the accusation, saying it does not allow Afghan territory to be used against other countries and that Pakistan’s security challenges are an internal matter.
Pakistani security sources have said operation “Ghazab Lil Haq,” meaning “Wrath for the Truth,” was ongoing and that Pakistani forces had destroyed Afghan posts and camps.
Both sides have reported heavy losses, issuing differing casualty figures for each other.
Reuters could not independently verify the claims.
Diplomatic efforts have intensified, with Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, the European Union and United Nations urging restraint and calling for talks.
The US said it supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself.
Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif described the fighting as “open war.”
Afghanistan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani said the conflict would be “very costly.” He said only front-line forces were engaged in fighting that the country has yet to fully deploy its military.
