The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the federal body that announces fuel rates, has reduced the petrol price by Rs2 per litre. Under an official notification, the new petrol price is Rs330 per litre. The diesel price has been maintained at Rs360 per litre under the same announcement.
What the notification covers
The revised petroleum prices were announced by OGRA, and the notification sets petrol at Rs330 per litre. Diesel, which is used by many trucks, buses and generators, did not change. The notification does not change the price of any other product mentioned in the announcement.
For a motorcyclist who buys 30 litres of petrol in a month, the Rs2 cut works out to about Rs60 a month (Rs2 x 30 litres). That is a small saving, but it applies to every litre bought at the new rate.
Dealers call for a refinery audit
Petroleum dealers held an emergency meeting in Karachi to discuss refinery profits, petrol pricing and possible relief for consumers. They demanded a forensic audit, which is a detailed examination of a company's financial records, of all refineries. Malik Khuda Bakhsh said refineries had earned in three months what they would normally earn in a full year, and that an audit would show the actual profits.
Anwar Kamal said consumers could receive relief of Rs40 to Rs50 per litre on petrol if the matter were properly examined. These figures are the dealers' own estimates and have not been confirmed by any official review. The dealers said a statement by the petroleum minister supported their concerns about excessive profits.
What happens next
The dealers want a comprehensive audit of past refinery earnings, so that future consumers do not carry extra costs. It is not yet clear whether an audit will be ordered, or whether the petrol price will be reduced further. Readers should check OGRA's notifications for the rates in force in their city.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Petrol ki qeemat Rs2 per litre kam hokar Rs330 per litre ho gayi hai. Diesel Rs360 per litre par barqarar hai. Petroleum dealers chahte hain ke refineries ke munafe ka forensic audit ho, taake logon ko mazeed relief mil sake. Motorcycle par rozana safar karne walon ko thodi bachat hogi, lekin mazeed kami ka faisla abhi nahi hua.
