Protests Over Petrol Prices Grip Cities as Dealer Margins Set to Rise
At a glance
- Jamaat-e-Islami is holding nationwide protests demanding the removal of the petroleum levy.
- The government has increased petrol pump dealer margins by Rs 1.95 per litre, effective September 1.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Petroleum Minister to negotiate with refineries for potential price relief.
Story so far
Public discontent is growing over high petroleum prices, which include a significant petroleum levy, dealer margins, and oil marketing company fees. Jamaat-e-Islami has launched nationwide protests demanding the complete removal of the levy, with a sit-in in Karachi entering its fourth day. The government collected over Rs 1.5 trillion from this levy last fiscal year. Despite calls for relief, the government has approved a Rs 1.95 per litre increase in dealer margins, effective September 1, with a further increase for oil marketing companies also approved in principle.
Latest development
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Petroleum Minister to negotiate with local refineries in Karachi to explore options for reducing fuel prices, amid ongoing nationwide protests led by Jamaat-e-Islami against the petroleum levy.
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