He said that the increase had been announced at a time when prices in the international market had begun to show downward trend. He said that during the last two months Rs 6.50 in the price of per liter of petrol had been increased. "This increase is badly affecting prices of daily use articles and creating problem for the common man to manage his monthly budget."
He said that illegal petrol depots were flourishing in the city.
He said that in a meeting, held at the office of the DCO, Karachi, in which representatives of oil marketing companies and petroleum dealers had participated, it was decided to crack down on illegal petrol depots but this action had not been taken so far.
He said that it was also decided that organisations such as KESC, Police and other would have such depots within their boundary walls and would be allowed to store petrol and diesel for their use.
He said that illegal depots now number more than 2000 and many other were likely to be added in coming months. Khan said that the meeting fixed for February 10 at the office of the DCO should take a decision against the illegal depots and close them down.
These illegal depots getting petrol and diesel from the oil marketing companies on reduced rates and selling the product in the open market. "The government is being deprived of millions of rupees annually in respect of income tax, GST and other levies," he added.