The government took the decision to increase the prices of petroleum products in the country following the oil price surge in the global price increase,  Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Tuesday.

She lashed out at the last government for what she called damaging the nation's economy and ties with friendly states.

The PTI-led government sabotaged the IMF accord while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revived it, she said, adding that improvement is seen in every sector of the country after the coalition government took over.

The minister stressed that the coalition government's 15-month performance is much better than the last government’s four-year performance,

She continued: “The PTI chairman is still busy with hatching conspiracies. His government brought two crore people below the poverty line.”

“We are clearing the mess created by the previous rule. The PTI government halted the ongoing development projects.

"We worked day and night for economic recovery in the last 15 months.

"People have recognized the ugly face of the PTI chairman who ruined the national economy and Pak ties with friendly states."

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister announced a surge in the prices of petroleum products citing a hike in oil rates in the international market.

The per-litre petrol price has been raised by Rs19.95 and diesel by Rs19.90. The new petrol price is Rs272.95 and the diesel rate is Rs273.40.

In a recorded video statement, Ishaq Dar said the petrol prices had increased sharply in the international market in the last 15 days and the government had tried to minimise the hike.