Consumer Protection Authority Chairman Dr. M. M.
Musheen said there was no doubt that world market prices of gas
had shot up, but the CPA would always mediate to safeguard the
consumer from being exploited and plunged into further
difficulty.
He was answering questions on the continuous
hike in prices of essential food items and gas, at media
briefing held at his office yesterday regarding requests made by
Shell and Laugf gas companies for further price hikes.
He said the public were already burdened with
staggering increases on all consumer items and further increases
could not be tolerated.
Asked whether the CPA would give in to the Shell
and Laugf demand, he said he would not agree to these unfair and
unreasonable demands but would suggest to the relevant companies
to make an acceptable and just increase in their rates.
He said the Shell and Laugf Companies had to
import gas at very high rates and to maintain the same price
would be impossible. If the CPA did give in to the demands, a
cylinder of Shell would move up from Rs. 789 to Rs. 829 and
Laugf would sell at Rs. 842.
He said the CPA would give the matter its
serious consideration and try to reach a consensus before it
gives a ruling.
"The public are heavily stressed with the
alarming prices at which goods are sold in markets and consumers
would blame international markets and the depreciation of the
rupee for the increase in prices," he said adding that the CPA
would work towards getting the Act amended as it had been
manipulated by successive governments for political advantages.
