The PDM government is once again getting criticized for dropping a petrol bomb on the public that is already suffering from high inflationary pressures.
Wednesday night, the government, without warning, jacked up the price of petrol by Rs5 per litre. Petrol will now be available at Rs272 per litre, as compared to its previous price of Rs267 per litre. Likewise, the government enhanced HSD price by Rs13, from a previous Rs280 per litre to Rs293 per litre now.
The Finance Division, in its fortnight bulletin, attributed the price hike to the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar and an increase in the prices registered by Platts Singapore.
“Accordingly the price of MS(Petrol) has increased by Rs5 per litre and the price of hi-speed diesel has increased by Rs13 per litre,” the notification read.
Read more: Pakistani celebrities react to increase in petrol price
Pertinent to mention that the latest petrol hike comes just a few days ahead of Ramadan. The increase in petrol prices has sparked intense criticism of the government, especially from its political rival PTI.
“This the real petrol bomb. 13 rupees increase in diesel, 5 rupees increase in petrol, will further increase historic inflation. PDM government is a big disappointment for the public,” PTI leader Farrukh Habib said.
this is the real
Petrol bomb
13 rupees increase in diesel
5 rupees increase in petrol
Will further increase historic inflation
PDM govt is big disappointment for public. pic.twitter.com/LzmrXENwlU— Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) March 15, 2023
“Thirteen rupees increase in diesel price and five rupees increase in petrol price. This government has come down as the punishment of Allah on Pakistan, recite Astighfar and join the struggle,” Fawad Chaudhry said.
ڈیزل کی قیمت میں تیرہ روپے اضافہ اور پٹرول کی قیمت میں پانچ روپے اضافہ۔۔۔ یہ حکومت پاکستان پر اللہ کا عذاب بن کر نازل ہوئ ہے، استغفار کی تسبیح پڑھیں اور جدوجہد میں شامل ہوں
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 15, 2023
“Maryam Nawaz had said in the election campaign last year that Nawaz Sharif will reduce the price of petrol on the day that the price will decrease in the international market in our government. The price of oil has been decreasing in the world market for the past several months and the government is continuously increasing it in Pakistan,” Dr Arsalan Khalid from PTI said.
مریم نواز نے پچھلے سال الیکشن مہم میں کہا تھا کہ اب ہماری حکومت میں جس دن انٹرنیشنل مارکیٹ میں قیمت کم ہوگی نوازشریف پٹرول کی قیمت کم کر دے گا ۔ عالمی مارکیٹ میں پچھلے کئی ماہ سے تیل کی قیمت کم ہورہی اور حکومت مسلسل پاکستان میں اضافہ کیے جا رہی۔ pic.twitter.com/u0mIXfiLly
— Dr Arslan Khalid (@arslankhalid_m) March 15, 2023
“Another petrol bomb of the incompetent imported government on the people while the prices in the world are low! At their hands, the people are suffering from the worst economic crisis while they are creating the worst fascism in the country,” Senator Dr Shahzad Waseem said.
نااہل امپورٹڈ حکومت کا عوام پر ایک اور پٹرول بم جبکہ دنیا میں قیمتیں کم !
انکے ہاتھوں عوام بدترین معاشی بدحالی کا شکار ہیں جبکہ یہ ملک میں بدترین فسطائیت برپا کیے ہوئے ہیں۔
#PetrolPrice pic.twitter.com/Wk2Ha2B185— Senator Dr. Shahzad Waseem (@dswpti) March 16, 2023
“Brent crude oil was at $81 two weeks ago but today stands at $72. But the government decided to increase petrol price by Rs5 & diesel Rs13/L. This will further fuel inflation. Ishaq Dar’s unamusing tricks resulting in evaporating people’s hard-earned money in thin air,” Hasaan Khawar said.
Brent crude oil was at $81 two weeks ago but today stands at $72. But the government decided to increase petrol price by Rs5 & diesel Rs13/L. This will further fuel inflation. Ishaq Dar’s unamusing tricks resulting in evaporating people’s hard earned money in thin air.
— Hasaan Khawar (@hasaankhawar) March 16, 2023
Members from Pakistan’s media fraternity have also spoken out against the recent petrol hike which will increase the inflationary burden on the masses, that too with Ramadan around the corner.
Read more: Petrol pumps stop selling petrol as govt. fails to announce new price
“Today, the price of petrol has decreased in the international market, while the price of petrol has been increased by five rupees and diesel price has been increased by thirteen rupees in the country. The inflationary storm has turned into a tsunami. Can the government justify the increase in petrol prices?” journalist Asma Shirazi said.
آج عالمی مارکیٹ میں پٹرول کی قیمتیں کم ہوئی ہیں جبکہ وطن عزیز میں پانچ روپے کا پٹرول اور ڈیزل کی قیمت میں تیرہ روپے کاضافہ کر دیا گیا ہے ، مہنگائی کا طوفان اب سونامی بن کر آئے گا۔حکومت کے پاس پٹرول کی قیمتیں بڑھانے کا کیا جواز ہے ؟
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) March 15, 2023
“In the global market, crude oil became cheaper by 6.39% to 66.77 dollars per barrel, while Brent crude oil decreased by 6% to 72.80 dollars, but our experienced government has increased the price of petrol by 5 rupees and diesel by 13 rupees per liter,” anchorperson Ameer Abbas said.
عالمی مارکیٹ میں خام تیل 6.39 فیصد سستا ہو کر 66.77 ڈالر فی بیرل جبکہ برینٹ کروڈ تیل 6 فیصد کم ہو کر 72.80 ڈالر کا ہو گیا لیکن ہماری تجربہ کار حکومت نے پٹرول فی لیٹر 5 روپے اور ڈیزل 13 روپے مہنگا کر دیا ہے
— Ameer Abbas (@ameerabbas84) March 16, 2023