ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday came down hard on the government for its decision to impose a sharp increase in petroleum prices, terming it a “petrol bomb” on an already inflation-hit population and demanding its immediate withdrawal.
Talking to reporters, PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram said the increase of Rs55 per litre in petrol and diesel would further intensify economic hardship for the masses already struggling with rising inflation and poverty.
He warned that the decision would place an unbearable burden on ordinary people and accelerate inflation across the country.
Akram rejected the increase in petroleum product prices, calling it an inhumane and backbreaking decision that would further aggravate the financial strain on the public.
He said that with petrol prices reaching around Rs321 per litre and diesel about Rs335 per litre, fuel rates had climbed to historic highs, effectively suffocating citizens already grappling with soaring inflation and rising unemployment. He criticised the government for imposing a heavy Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) - exceeding Rs100 per litre - to boost revenues instead of providing relief to the public.
He said the government had the option to reduce the levy and pass on immediate relief to consumers, but had chosen not to do so.
The PTI leader warned that the increase in diesel prices would severely affect the agricultural sector, as tractors, threshers and other farming machinery rely heavily on diesel.
Higher fuel costs, he said, would increase agricultural expenses, weaken farmers and could potentially trigger a food security crisis.
Drawing a comparison with the tenure of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said that during the global Covid-19 crisis - when international oil prices had reached nearly $120 per barrel - the then PTI government reduced petroleum levies and kept petrol prices around Rs150 per litre to provide relief to the public.
In contrast, he said, the current government had failed to pass on relief even when global oil prices were around $80 per barrel.
He also criticised the government’s approach of urging austerity while continuing extravagant spending, claiming that a luxury Gulfstream jet worth Rs11 billion had recently been acquired while citizens struggled to afford basic necessities.
He further raised concerns over fuel smuggling, alleging that around 2.235 billion litres of Iranian petrol were smuggled into the country annually, valued at approximately Rs685 billion, which he said was damaging local refineries and creating operational challenges.
He also questioned the government’s claims regarding petroleum reserves, stating that while authorities claimed the country maintained a 30-day stock, oil marketing companies had indicated that supplies were sufficient for only about 15 days.
Calling for a foreign policy centred on national interests, he urged the government to strengthen diplomatic relations with energy-producing countries, including Russia, to secure affordable oil and protect the public from global market volatility.
The PTI demanded the immediate withdrawal of the recent fuel price hike, reduction in petroleum levies, and the adoption of policies prioritising public relief over government extravagance.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026