ISLAMABAD: Prices of petroleum products will remain unchanged for the month of August, the Ministry of Finance announced late Monday.

A spokesman from the Finance division said in a statement that given the special circumstances, rates of petroleum products would be maintained at the existing level till a decision by the competent authority is made.

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) had recommended the government last week to reduce the prices of Motor Gasoline (petrol) and High Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs3.67 and Rs5.07 per litre, respectively, for August.

Ogra had also suggested increasing prices of kerosene by Rs13 per litre and Light Diesel Oil (LDO) by Rs10.01 per litre.

However, following Nawaz Sharif?s disqualification by the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Finance was left without any competent authority and could not provide a relief to the consumers through price cuts.

Petrol prices have been maintained at Rs71.30 per litre, diesel at Rs79.90 per litre, kerosene at Rs44 per litre and LDO at Rs44 per litre.

Earlier today, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Asad Umar protested against the failure of the authorities to pass on relief to the consumers as per Ogra?s recommendations.

He also requested President Mamnoon Hussain to take notice of the matter.