By IANS,
Islamabad : The hike in prices of petroleum products coupled with the increase in electricity tariff is a twin blow to the people, said a Pakistani daily.
Petroleum product prices were hiked ranging from Rs.1.09 to Rs.5.34 per litre. There has also been a Rs.1.05 increase per unit in power rates.
Describing it as “a twin blow” to people, an editorial in the News International Thursday said: “It can only add to the many hardships people already suffer.”
“It is ironic that this increase comes at the start of the month of Ramazan when budgets are already stretched in virtually every household.”
The editorial asked why “people should pay the price for the government’s inability to effectively generate revenue from other sources”.
“The dual hike in fuel and power prices will hit hard. It will also mean an increase in the cost of other commodities as transport costs go up. People are already struggling to manage. Their battle will grow tougher still with these new measures.”
It went on to say that people have faced wave after wave of price increases over the last few years.”
“We wonder how much more they can take, especially at this time of the year when they expect the government to help them manage households rather than take measures which only increase their difficulties, leaving them in a situation where they can do nothing to help themselves,” it said.