ISLAMABAD (MNN); Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) central spokesperson Shazia Marri on Monday criticized the federal government for imposing what she called a “petrol bomb” on the public just ahead of Ramazan, describing the recent increase in petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices as “unjust” and “highly unfair.”
The government raised petrol and HSD prices by Rs5 and Rs7.32 per litre respectively on Sunday night. The ex-depot price of petrol now stands at Rs258.17 per litre and HSD at Rs275.70 per litre. The government said the new rates would remain effective until the end of February, reflecting movements in international oil prices.
In a statement posted on the PPP website, Shazia Marri strongly rejected the government’s decision, calling it “unjust and ill-advised” at a time when people were already struggling with record inflation. She said increasing fuel prices just days before Ramazan was “a highly unfair and unwise move” and likened it to dropping a “petrol bomb” on the public.
Marri said the government should have prioritized relief for citizens affected by inflation instead of imposing additional financial burdens. She warned that the hike would severely impact the poor, laborers, and middle class, while also driving up food and transportation costs.
The PPP leader pointed out a contradiction in government policies, stating that “on one hand, the government is announcing a Ramazan relief package, while on the other, it is fueling inflation through price hikes. It is a clear policy failure.”
She urged the government to focus on addressing unemployment, inflation, and the ongoing economic crisis rather than taking steps that exacerbate public hardship. Marri demanded that the government immediately review and roll back the petroleum price increase and take concrete measures to provide real relief to the people.
