KARACHI: Maulana Mohammad Bashir Farooq Qadri, Founder and Chairman of Saylani Welfare International Trust, expressed his strong disapproval over the recent increase of 55 rupees per liter in petrol and diesel prices. In a statement, he said that such a drastic hike in fuel prices, at a time when the public is already crushed by inflation, is akin to a direct assault on the impoverished population.
He further stated that while temporary measures may be required during wartime or national crises, care should be taken not to further burden those who are already struggling. He emphasized that the elite, ministers, and members of the assembly should bear the brunt of difficult decisions, rather than ordinary citizens. “The salaries and privileges of ministers and parliamentarians should have been cut, the use of expensive luxury vehicles by rulers should have been restricted, and VIP movements should have been minimized,” he suggested. However, instead of these necessary measures, the government has opted to follow the dictates of the IMF, placing an unjust burden on the public.
Maulana Bashir Farooq questioned, “If there is already a one-month stock of fuel available, why are the rates being increased for the existing stock?” He pointed out that while the government adhered to IMF directives, it failed to heed the words of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH). He warned that this decision serves as a danger signal for a Muslim-led government, as rulers should prioritize the welfare of the people over IMF displeasure. He advised the government to adopt a more consultative approach and to respect the values upon which this nation was founded.
Referring to a Hadith, he stated that according to the words of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), when a nation’s rulers make decisions contrary to Allah’s commandments, poverty spreads within the nation. He also emphasized that Ramadan is a month of goodwill and a lesson in equality. Instead of honouring the sanctity of this holy month, the government has chosen to favour the elite, who are the main contributors to the country’s debt. “The people are not the cause of this debt; it is the elite,” he added.
Maulana Bashir Farooq urged the government to either reverse this decision or provide substantial relief to the public.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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