Shazia Marri said the hike would not only affect transportation costs but also trigger a further surge in food prices.
Market analysts warn that IMF-linked measures in the upcoming 2026 budget – particularly new taxes and energy price adjustments – could lead to a further surge in inflation. PHOTO: FILE
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Monday slammed the federal government over the latest increase in oil prices, accusing it of dropping a “petrol bomb” on citizens just days before Ramazan.
PPP central spokesperson Shazia Marri lamented the hike in petrol and fast diesel (HSD) prices, calling it “unfair”, “ill-advised” and “highly unfair”, arguing that the move would add to the financial pressure on already struggling households.
The government on Sunday evening increased the price of petrol by Rs 5 per liter and that of HSD by Rs 7.32 per litre. Following the revision, the ex-depot price of petrol stood at Rs258.17 per litre, while the HSD increased to Rs275.70 per litre.
Authorities said the new tariffs would remain in effect until the end of February, citing price fluctuations in the international market.
In a statement posted on the official PPP website, Marri strongly rejected the increase, calling it an ill-timed move ahead of Ramazan.
She said raising fuel prices just days before the holy month “is a very unfair and reckless decision,” especially when citizens are already grappling with “record inflation.”
Denouncing the move as an “oil bomb”, she said it had been thrown at the public at a time when economic pressures were already mounting.
“The government should have focused on helping citizens affected by inflation instead of imposing additional financial burdens,” Marri said.
She warned that the hike would not only affect transport costs, but also trigger a new surge in food prices, disproportionately affecting the poor, workers and the middle class.
“Rising oil prices will seriously affect the poor, workers and the middle class and trigger a further rise in food prices and transport costs,” she warned.
Marri also highlighted a glaring contradiction in government policy. “On the one hand, the government is announcing a Ramazan relief plan, while on the other hand, it is fueling inflation through rising prices. This is a clear policy failure,” she said.
