In a major upset for Pakistanis, the incumbent government has now raised flour prices by Rs180 at utility stores. The move will result in further inflationary pressure on the public which is already buckling under the recent petrol hike.
According to a notification issued by the Utility Stores Corporation, Rs 9 per kilogram has been raised on flour, resulting in a hike of Rs. 90 on a 10 kilograms bag and Rs. 180 on a 20-Kg bag.
As a result, a 20-Kg bag that was previously being sold at Rs. 800 will now cost Rs 980 while a 10-kg bag will cost Rs. 490, contrary to Rs. 400 previously.
The government has directed regional accounts officers to visit warehouses and ensure the implementation of prices in the utility stores.
امپورٹڈ حکومت کے مہنگائی کم کرنے کے تمام وعدے اور دعوے جھوٹے ثابت ہوئے۔ پٹرول کی قیمتوں اضافہ کیساتھ ہی یوٹیلٹی سٹورز پر 20 کلو آٹا کی قیمتوں میں 180 روپے مہنگا کرکے قیمت 800 روپے سے 980 روپے مقرر کردی۔ #آرہاہے_الیکشن pic.twitter.com/kBJSTUBkmk
— PTI (@PTIofficial) May 27, 2022
Important to note that earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had vowed that he will reduce flour prices. He also announced that he knew well how to reduce flour prices in the province. Moreover, PML-N has often criticized the previous government for inflation. However, things do not seem very promising either with PML-N in governance.
Tough times ahead?
In a surprise move, the government on Thursday increased the petroleum products rates by Rs30 per liter. Finance Minister Miftah Ismail made the decision public in an unscheduled news conference after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gave him the go-ahead in a party meeting. With the fresh hike, the new price of petrol will be Rs179.88 per liter.
Read more: PDM govt succumbs to IMF as it hikes petrol rate
“Government has decided to increase the prices of petrol, high-speed diesel, kerosene oil, and light diesel oil by Rs. 30 per liter from Friday, May 27, 2022,” Miftah Ismail tweeted.
Government has decided to increase the prices of Petrol, High Speed Diesel, Kerosene Oil and Light Diesel Oil by Rs 30 per litre from Friday May 27, 2022. New prices will go into effect at midnight. The new price of petrol will be Rs 179.86 & diesel will be Rs 174.15 per litre.
— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) May 26, 2022
Pertinent to mention, PML-N had always lashed out at the PTI government for increasing petrol prices. PML-N leaders would accuse PTI of dropping a “petrol bomb” on Pakistan. While PTI did raise petrol prices, it would do so by a few rupees, the highest being between Rs. 10 – Rs. 12 in February. Meanwhile, the incumbent government has announced a direct jump of Rs. 30 after promising that it will not increase petrol prices.
Read more: Leaders slam govt as petrol price reaches new heights
However, it seems no government in Pakistan can ignore the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) suggestions. The IMF has urged Pakistan on countless occasions to remove fuel and energy subsidies.