Petroleum Price Hike Is Unjustified: Sardar Umar Daraz Khan

Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) Central Secretary Coordination, Sardar Umar Daraz Khan, stated that the recent hike in petroleum product prices is unjustified, as there has been no increase in global oil prices. This hike will unleash a fresh wave of inflation. He said the meager increase in salaries and pensions announced in the budget has effectively been nullified by this price hike. “The government gives with one hand and takes back more with the other,” he remarked.

The PAT Secretary Coordination further said that the government’s recurring habit of increasing prices proves that public hardship is being ignored in policymaking. He expressed these views while addressing a seminar held at the PAT Central Secretariat in Model Town. He said the current government is burdening the people with new economic pressures every month instead of providing relief.

Sardar Umar Daraz Khan highlighted that the price of petrol has been increased by Rs. 8.36, diesel by Rs. 10.39, and light diesel by Rs. 9.45 — a move that severely tests the public’s patience. This decision, he said, will lead to further price hikes in transport, food items, vegetables, milk, and other necessities of daily life.

He urged the government to make decisions based on the actual condition of the people rather than relying solely on statistics. Public trust can only be restored when the state understands their hardships and takes measures to ease them. Balancing the budget or fulfilling conditions of global financial institutions alone will not solve the country's internal problems.

Sardar Umar Daraz said Pakistan Awami Tehreek aims to be the voice of the people and wants to remind the government that it is high time to take emergency steps to halt the inflation crisis. He warned that continuous inflation is causing despair and anxiety among the public — a dangerous sign for any civilized society.

He demanded that the government immediately review the petroleum price hike and adopt economic policies that provide relief instead of further burdening the people