President Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) Shafique Ahmed Qureshi expressed that with the increase in petroleum products, prices of consumer goods would once again go up and the trade and industry sector would be hit hard. The government has increased 10 percent to 15 percent prices of petroleum.
Hence price of petrol would go up by Rs 5.92 per litre and would now cost Rs 62.13/ litre, diesel oil would cost Rs 54.94/ litre after increase of Rs 6.94/ liter, HOBC and kerosene oil prices would rise by Rs 8.5 litre and Rs 7.48/liter respectively.
He further expressed that after 13th June, 2009 the government has given another mini budget to the public in the shape of price rise in petroleum products. The present rise in petroleum products would bring a storm of inflation causing decrease in economic activities and increase in unemployment. He further expressed that increase in oil prices means closing down of industries. It appears as if these are not our policies, we have lost our direction and the leaders of the country are not concerned with the welfare of the people or the country, he added.
The government is determined to make life difficult for the people. We have to spend a major share of our country's budget in payment of interest on loans. They are not prepared to economise government expenditure on the contrary they are making the conditions verse for the common man.
In view of the adverse effects, we strongly demand from the government to immediately withdraw the present increase in cost of petroleum and its products and such steps be taken by which trade and industry may flourish so that people may get jobs and are saved from poverty and unemployment. Moreover, due to increase in prices of commodities Pakistan would lose its share in economic market. Therefore, the government should take immediate action in this matter.