Afridi criticises federal govt for increase in POL prices

PESHAWAR: The 50th meeting of provincial cabinet was held under the chair of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi. Besides, provincial cabinet member, the meeting was called by Chief Secretary, additional Chief Secretaries and the relevant administrative Secretaries.

Addressing the Cabinet, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, on Friday criticized the federal government’s latest increase in fuel prices, saying it would deepen inflationary pressures and further strain households across the country.

Sohail Afridi said nearly 45 percent of Pakistan’s population, more than 100 million people, now lives below the poverty line, adding that rising prices are increasingly affecting not only low-income groups but also middle and upper middle-income households.

The Chief Minister contrasted current economic conditions with those during former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s tenure, noting that Pakistan had recorded 6.1 percent GDP growth despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, while fuel prices were kept relatively lower even amid high international oil prices.

He said current fuel prices had risen sharply, which is attributed to policy shortcomings, and failure of the federal government for a lack of a clear agenda.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026