Inflation is currently on the rise in Pakistan as the government announced major price hikes while slashing subsidies in a bid to comply with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) demands.
The rise in petrol prices has also alarmed members of the incumbent government. During the debate on the budget in the National Assembly, members protested against the increase in prices of petroleum products and inflation.
Saira Bano, the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation, returned her official fuel card to the assembly secretariat in protest. Bano told the house that when the daily-wage earners were forced to commit suicide, “how can I keep a fuel card?”
Read more: PML-N & allies criticize own govt for price hike
Her decision to return her petrol card is gaining praise on social media since public figures and politicians have often been criticized for not sympathizing with the public due to the perks and privileges they enjoy while holding office.
GDAکی رکن قومی اسمبلی سائرہ بانو نےاجلاس کے دوران بطور چیئرپرسن تخفیف غربت کمیٹی ملنے والا پیٹرول واپس کر دیا،سائرہ بانو نے پیٹرول کارڈ قومی اسمبلی سیکرٹریٹ کو واپس جمع کروادیا۔ان کا کہنا تھا ملک میں لوگ غربت اور مہنگائی سےخودکشیاں کر رہے ہیں میں یہ مراعات نہیں لے سکتی۔
— WAQAR SATTI 🇵🇰 (@waqarsatti) June 17, 2022
Earlier this week, the incumbent government raised the price of petrol for the third time in as many weeks. Petrol is at Rs233.89 per liter after a hike of Rs24.03, HSD at Rs263.31 per liter following a rise of Rs59.16 per liter, kerosene oil at Rs211.47 per liter after a surge of Rs29.49 and light diesel oil at Rs207.47 per liter after an increase of Rs29.16.
Moreover, prices of other commodities have also increased, for instance, wheat, sugar, cooking oil, etc. The government also slashed many subsidies as the IMF has demanded “more revenue”. As a result, the public is buckling under inflationary pressure.
Petrol prices crush public
Earlier, the rickshaw drivers of Nawabshah set two auto-rickshaws on fire in front of Nawabshah Press Club to register their protest against rising inflation and petrol price.
The rickshaw drivers were wearing black ribbons also to highlight their protest against the policies of the government and the rampant inflation.
Moreover, even the incumbent government has taken austerity measures to save money and conserve energy as common Pakistanis are grappling with higher costs of living after recent fuel and food price hikes. The cabinet has approved slashing the petrol quota of government officials and cabinet members by 40 percent.
Read more: High petrol price forces govt to slash its fuel quota