KP Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam Criticizes Federal Government Over Sharp Increase in Petroleum Prices
Muzammil Aslam, Adviser to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Finance, strongly criticized the federal government after it announced a significant increase in petroleum prices.
Speaking on the issue, Muzammil Aslam said that the rise in petroleum prices would create serious economic difficulties for the public. He noted that the country is already facing around **45 percent poverty** and the **highest unemployment rate in 21 years**, and such increases would further burden citizens.
He questioned the government’s pricing policy, pointing out that the current price of crude oil in the international market is around **$80 per barrel**. He asked what the government would do if global oil prices rose to **$120 per barrel**, questioning whether petrol prices would then increase by **up to 500 rupees per liter**.
The criticism came after the federal government announced a **Rs55 per liter increase** in both petrol and diesel prices.
Following the increase, the new prices are:
* **Petrol:** Rs321.17 per liter
* **High-Speed Diesel:** Rs335.86 per liter
Analysts believe that the increase in fuel prices could lead to higher transportation costs and further fuel inflation across the country. ⛽📈
