Pakistan raises oil prices, fueling anger

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ISLAMABAD, Mar 1 (AP): Pakistan hiked oil prices by 9.9 per cent Tuesday, a move that threatens the stability of the fragile, US-allied civilian government at a time of economic turmoil in the impoverished country. Spikes in international oil market prices - spurred by uprisings in Libya and other parts of North Africa and the Middle East - forced the raise in Pakistani prices, said Jawad Nasim, a spokesman for the country's oil regulator. The price of a liter (0.26 gallon) of petrol went from 72.96 rupees (85 cents) to 80.19 rupees (94 cents). Opposition parties and even some members of Pakistan's governing coalition immediately denounced the raise, while a group representing public transportation workers in the country's largest city threatened to go on strike. Haider Abbas Rizvi, a senior member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, said the price increase was unacceptable because it would further burden Pakistan citizens, who are already struggling to deal with double-digit inflation and chronic power shortages. Karachi Transport Union, an association of bus owners, truckers, taxi drivers and others involved in the city's public transport said its members would go on strike Thursday over the price hike. Syed Mahmood Afridi, secretary-general of the group, said the strike would last until the government reversed decision. Karachi is the country's most populous city, with over 16 million people, and its main economic hub. A lengthy public strike there could further hobble the Pakistani industry.