Staying true to his party, Federal Minister for Aviation, Ghulam Sarwar Khan Saturday vehemently defended inflation hike and increase in petro prices, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

However, he said that all-out efforts are being made by the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaff (PTI) government to provide relief to masses and striving to control price hike.

Addressing a press conference here, he said that an increase of 100 percent in oil prices was witnessed in international market. Out of 160 countries of the world, Pakistan is at 30th number and in 130 countries, oil prices were more than the prices of Pakistan.

Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that oil prices of 80 percent countries including entire Europe, America, Canada, Far East countries, were more than the prices of Pakistan.

Middle East countries had less prices of oil as compared to Pakistan or those which were oil producing countries, he said adding that in South Asian region, Pakistan was at lowest level in oil prices as compared to the countries including, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.

The federal minister Pakistan was not only at lowest level in oil prices but also in prices of essential commodities in South Asian region.

“Today, world has become a global village and nothing could be kept hidden as everything could be verified through internet.”

Ghulam Sarwar Khan said when oil prices would witness the climbing trend then certainly gas prices would also be increased as oil and gas prices are interlinked. When oil and gas prices would notice upward trend then power generation prices would have to be adjusted as all are interlinked.

These prices would affect cost of production and transportation charges and ultimately prices of daily use items would increase.

"Basic reason behind price hike is oil and gas prices but, Pakistan is not the only country, the entire world is facing the crisis, he said adding, gradually, the taxation on oil prices was reduced as PTI government was committed to provide relief to the citizens," he said.

To a question the Minister Aviation replied, almost 40 percent people would be compensated and to be provided relief as funds had been allocated and the government was working to provide targeted subsidy to the people during this year particularly on essential commodities.