Afaq Ahmed Condemns Fuel Price Increase
KARACHI: Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM-Haqiqi) Chairman Afaq Ahmed on Saturday strongly criticised the government over the latest increase in petroleum prices, accusing it of using regional tensions as a pretext to impose additional financial burdens on the public. Addressing a press conference at his residence, Ahmed said the recent increase of Rs14 per litre in fuel prices was unjustified, arguing that the government had long been collecting billions of rupees through the petroleum levy without providing any transparent account of how the funds were being utilised.
Levy Collection Questioned
Ahmed stated that the levy had originally been presented as a mechanism to support the import and domestic refining of crude oil, but claimed that the promised objectives had yet to materialise. According to Ahmed, the government has been collecting substantial sums under this levy for years, yet there is no clear breakdown of how these revenues are being spent.
Call for Accountability
The MQM-Haqiqi chairman demanded that the government release a detailed report on petroleum levy collections and expenditures. He also urged the authorities to reconsider the price hike, which he said would further strain the already burdened public. Ahmed emphasized that the government must provide relief to citizens rather than exploiting geopolitical situations to increase taxes.
Impact on Common Man
Ahmed highlighted that the price increase would have a cascading effect on the cost of essential goods and transportation, worsening inflation. He called on the opposition and civil society to press for transparency and accountability in the petroleum sector.
