ISLAMABAD: Pakistan increased the prices of petrol, high-speed diesel, kerosene and light diesel oil on Tuesday, saying the new rates would be applicable from Wednesday, February 16.
The government has faced criticism for increasing fuel prices during the last few months amid rising inflation, though its top officials argue Pakistan still offers petroleum products at the cheapest rates in the region.
The country fixes these prices on a fortnightly basis to pass on the impact of fluctuating international prices to consumers.
“The prices of Petroleum Products are showing drastic increase in the international market and presently are at the highest since 2014,” a statement from the Finance Division said on Tuesday, adding that despite the unabated increase since the beginning of the year, Prime Minister Imran Khan had deferred the last review of petroleum prices on January 31, 2022.
“In order to provide utmost relief to the consumers, government levied zero percent Sales Tax and reduced the Petroleum Levy rate against the budget targets,” the statement said.
With an increase of Rs12.03, petrol will now be available for Rs159.86 and high-speed diesel’s at Rs154.15, a rise of Rs9.53. Kerosene will be sold for Rs126.56 per liter after an increase of Rs10.08 while light diesel oil will be available for Rs123.97 after a Rs9.43 increase in its previous rate.
The Finance Division said the government was bearing a revenue loss of around Rs35 billion (fortnightly) “on account of budgeted to existing PL [Petroleum Levy] and ST [Sales Tax] have been kept to the minimum.”
Petrol price hits historic high in Pakistan after Rs12.03 hike
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Petrol price hits historic high in Pakistan after Rs12.03 hike
- Pakistan increases prices of petrol, high-speed diesel, kerosene and light diesel oil
- High-speed diesel’s new price per liter is Rs154.15, a rise of Rs9.53
UN torture expert decries Pakistan ex-PM Khan’s detention
- Khan’s party alleges government is holding him in solitary confinement, barring prison visits
- Pakistan’s government rejects allegations former premier is being denied basic rights in prison
GENEVA: Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan is being held in conditions that could amount to torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on torture warned Friday.
Alice Jill Edwards urged Pakistan to take immediate and effective action to address reports of the 73-year-old’s inhumane and undignified detention conditions.
“I call on Pakistani authorities to ensure that Khan’s conditions of detention fully comply with international norms and standards,” Edwards said in a statement.
“Since his transfer to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on September 26, 2023, Imran Khan has reportedly been held for excessive periods in solitary confinement, confined for 23 hours a day in his cell, and with highly restricted access to the outside world,” she said.
“His cell is reportedly under constant camera surveillance.”
Khan an all-rounder who captained Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, upended Pakistani politics by becoming the prime minister in 2018.
Edwards said prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited under international human rights law and constitutes a form of psychological torture when it lasts longer than 15 days.
“Khan’s solitary confinement should be lifted without delay. Not only is it an unlawful measure, extended isolation can bring about very harmful consequences for his physical and mental health,” she said.
UN special rapporteurs are independent experts mandated by the Human Rights Council. They do not, therefore, speak for the United Nations itself.
Initially a strong backer of the country’s powerful military leadership, Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2022, and has since been jailed on a slew of corruption charges that he denies.
He has accused the military of orchestrating his downfall and pursuing his Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and its allies.
Khan’s supporters say he is being denied prison visits from lawyers and family after a fiery social media post this month accusing army leader Field Marshal Asim Munir of persecuting him.
According to information Edwards has received, visits from Khan’s lawyers and relatives are frequently interrupted or ended prematurely, while he is held in a small cell lacking natural light and adequate ventilation.
“Anyone deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and dignity,” the UN expert said.
“Detention conditions must reflect the individual’s age and health situation, including appropriate sleeping arrangements, climatic protection, adequate space, lighting, heating, and ventilation.”
Edwards has raised Khan’s situation with the Pakistani government.
