A worker fills a car’s tank at a gas station amid concerns about rising fuel prices linked to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Photo: Reuters (file)
LAHORE:
A sharp rise in oil prices has triggered a new wave of economic anxiety across Pakistan, with carriers raising rates, businesses warning of rising operating costs and ordinary citizens bracing for another inflationary shock in an economy already under severe strain.
Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Saturday sharply criticized the government over the latest increase in oil prices, accusing it of imposing an unfair financial burden on ordinary citizens through repeated fuel hikes and excessive taxation despite falling international oil prices.
The criticism comes as the SCBA also demands the immediate reversal of this increase, warning that rising fuel prices would further accelerate inflation and increase the cost of basic goods across the country.
In a statement published on
He said authorities continued to justify the hikes by citing global market fluctuations while simultaneously collecting heavy oil taxes.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Bar Association also expressed concerns over the increase in oil prices and urged the federal government to immediately withdraw the hike.
The request was made during the 28th meeting of the SCBA Executive Committee chaired by its President Haroonur Rashid. In a statement released after the meeting, the association said the increase had further intensified the public’s hardship.
