Dealers call for review of fuel rates

KABUL): Fuel dealers on Tuesday rejected the petrol and diesel rates announced by the ministry of commerce as unfair, calling for a review of the decision.

Last week, Commerce Minister Anwarul Haq Ahadi announced diesel and petrol would cost 57 afghanis a litre. The minister warned violators would be sternly dealt with according to the law.

Fuel station owners’ association head, Ala Mohammad Ahmadi, told a press conference in Kabul the ministry’s decision was against the rules of free market economy.

He said the government, before fixing the rates, should have taken into account the expenses incurred on fuel imports into the landlocked country. Ahmadi added they purchased a litre of fuel for 59 afghanis. “The rates need to be reviewed.”

A fuel station worker in the Taimani neighbourhood said he sold one litre diesel for 59 afghanis and the same amount of petrol for 61afs. He said they had not been informed by the ministry to implement the newly-announced rates.

ma/mud