ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Miftah Ismail defended on Tuesday the federal government’s decision to hike the price of petrol after backlash from his party’s supremo Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari.
The government jacked up Monday night the price of petrol by Rs6.72 per litre for the next fortnight, taking it to 233.91 per litre, while the rate of diesel was also moved up to 244.44 per litre.
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In his press conference today, the finance minister clarified that he had not stated that he would not be increasing the price of petroleum products.
“I had never said that I will not increase the price of petrol, I had stated that I will not be imposing taxes [on petroleum products] further,” Miftah said.
“I stand behind every decision of the government with full responsibility,” the finance minister said, noting that no economic decision was taken without his input.
