, April 19 -- Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood on Sunday said the government was compelled to raise fuel prices due to rising global costs and mounting import pressure.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he said the government had no alternative but to hike the prices as fuel imports require foreign currency, and the adjustment was necessary to keep the economy at a manageable level.

The minister, however, said they have fixed prices at a level that is still below the actual import cost.

Addressing concerns over the impact on common people, he noted that countries worldwide, including the United States, have increased fuel prices following global market adjustments. "After the war situation, we b...