The Federal government after presenting a ‘mini-budget’ jack up the Petrol Price to Rs 22.20 per litre in order to revive the International Monetary Fund (IMF) $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
According to details, a press release was issued from the Finance Division in which it was mentioned that the rate of petrol has been increased to Rs272.00 per litre from Rs249.80 per litre. The new prices will come into effect from 12 am tonight.
The statement said that the price of petrol was increased to Rs272 per litre after an increase of Rs22, pointing out that the surge has taken place due to the rupee’s devaluation against the dollar.
Meanwhile, the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) has been increased by Rs17.20 per litre to Rs280.00. The price of kerosene has been increased by Rs12.30, after which the new price of kerosene oil has become Rs202.73 per litre. Similarly, the price of light diesel has been increased by Rs9.68 to Rs196.68 per litre.
The increase in the price of petroleum products was one of the preconditions of the IMF in order to revive the loan Program, which will lead to a hike in the already record-high inflation, coupled with the new fiscal measures undertaken through the ‘mini-budget’.
‘Mini-Budget’
Earlier Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar introduced the Finance Bill (Supplementary) the “mini-budget” in the National Assembly in order to meet IMF Conditions for the approval of the loan program needed to avoid a default.
While addressing the Parliament, the finance minister compared the performance of the previous PML-N and PTI governments.
The finance minister also announces to increase General Sales Tax GST rate from 17 to 18% and increasing the Federal Excise Duty (FED) on cigarettes and Tobacco in order to fetch an additional Rs115 billion out of Rs170 billion agreed to by Pakistan in line with the IMF conditions.
Mini-budget proposals
- Govt has increased GST on luxury items from 17% to 25%
- Increase in federal excise duty on cigarettes and fizzy drinks.
- Increase in federal excise duty on cement
- GST has been increased from 17pc to 18pc
- Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) handouts increased to Rs400bn from Rs360bn
- FDE on business and first-class air tickets to now be Rs20,000 or 50% — whichever is higher
- GST is to not be imposed on essential goods.
Credible Sources at the Ministry of Finance told that they expect the bill to be ascended by Thursday morning, which will pave the way not only for the IMF monies but funds from multi-laterals and bilateral.
According to the latest details, A session of the Senate has also been summoned to move the bill to the upper house. After the passage of the finance bill from both houses, the bill will be then sent to President Arif Alvi for approval.
IMF Virtual Talks
Virtual talks between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan for the completion of the ninth review of the $7 billion loan program began a day earlier before presenting Finance Bill.
The officials of the finance ministry would brief the IMF about the implementation of the conditions set by them for the revival of the loan program. it was reported that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan moved closer to the revival of the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) as the IMF responded to the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP) draft and soon the revival of $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) will be completed.
