Increase in POL prices criticised

Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) while criticising the government for increasing POL products' prices termed it a negative move for the country's economy which was already facing a number of challenges. PIAF Chairman Irfan Iqbal Sheikh and Senior Vice Chairman Tanveer Ahmed Sufi in their joint statement said that the increase in oil prices would put extra burden on the consumers, urging the government to pass on benefits of diminishing oil prices in the international market to the people.
Sheikh said that at a time when the whole industry was suffering because of the energy crisis and high cost of doing business, the raise in petroleum prices was bound to give a further blow to the industry. The association has been stressing upon the government circles concerned to take necessary measures for the promotion of alternate fuels; as trade deficit is rapidly widening due to heavy imports under the head of petroleum products.