Islamabad. The present increase is not mere for price leveling but will also increase Government revenues which is a negation of the very essence of free floating prices arrangement. It was stated by Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP) while expressing deep concerns over the recent increase in petroleum prices.

CRCP said that present increase in oil prices would loose a hell of price hike on consumer in general and make the life of people difficult. This is third consecutive increase in the prices by oil companies since January 2002. It is harsh fact that any increase in petroleum prices has a direct impact on the prices of other commodities and services.

CRCP stated that it is not merely an attempt to level the prices but also an attempt to increase the revenue. Government is not only earning 15% GST on petroleum products but also generating revenue to the tune of more than Rs.12 billion on motor spirit i.e regular and super petrol which is largely used by the domestic consumers for daily commuting.

CRCP deplored double standard of government treating the business sector and consumers through increase in commission margin of oil companies and extinction of subsidies over the utilities of consumers. It is matter of deep concerns in this regard that Government has increased the commission margin of oil companies by 3% to 3.5%.

CRCP lamented government since it's linking prices of petroleum product with international market has been inconsistent. It is also dismal to note that when prices are reduced in international market no benefits are passed on to the consumers. Last time when prices of petroleum decreased in the international market government instead of passing on the benefit to the consumers government increased the amount of taxes and petroleum surcharges and earned profit. It is sheer violation of the whole rationale of free market economy and amounts to cheating the citizens and consumers of Pakistan.

CRCP stated that non-participatory and non-transparent decisions of Advisory Committee of Oil Companies (ACOC) by issuing a plain statement that global oil prices are increased seem to protect the interests of powerful oil companies by not informing the consumers, citizens and public interest groups of actual situation. This is also an example of negation of right of freedom of information. CRCP impressed upon the government that account related to petroleum products should be made public so that citizens and consumers could probe into it to ensure that the present increase is only aimed at leveling of prices and not as a source of additional profit for oil companies and revenue for the government for which it is not entitled before the next budget.