The recent hike in petroleum prices has sparked strong criticism from opposition parties, who argue that the move adds further economic strain on the people already struggling with high inflation. Despite market predictions suggesting otherwise, the government raised the price of petrol by Rs1.35 per litre on Thursday night for the next two weeks. The new price of petrol now stands at Rs248.38 per litre, while high-speed diesel (HSD) has seen a Rs3.85 increase, bringing it to Rs255.14 per litre.
Conversely, kerosene oil has been reduced by Rs1.48 to Rs161.54 per litre, and light diesel oil dropped by Rs2.61, now priced at Rs147.51 per litre.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) criticized the government, alleging that while it claims the situation is under control, it continues to increase the costs of essential goods. “By raising the prices of basic necessities, the government is adding to the hardships of people already struggling with inflation,” PTI stated.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman also denounced the price hikes, calling the decision “shameful.” He criticized the government for what he described as its reluctance to provide relief to either the public or industry, especially as global fuel prices are trending downward. He further suggested that the government was unfairly “passing on its frustration over the failed privatization of PIA” to the public through these price increases.
Fuel prices have a significant impact on daily life, as petrol is primarily used in private vehicles, motorcycles, and rickshaws, which are crucial for middle- and lower-income households. Higher petrol prices, therefore, directly affect these families’ budgets, making daily commuting increasingly unaffordable.
High-speed diesel, on the other hand, is vital to Pakistan’s transport and agriculture sectors, powering trucks, buses, and farming equipment such as tractors and tube wells. Increases in diesel costs have a domino effect, raising the costs of transporting essential goods like vegetables and staples, which then drives up food prices and adds further pressure on households already grappling with inflation.
