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Minor Reduction in Petrol Prices Is Adding Insult to Injury for the Public, Says Ziauddin Ansari Advocate
Nationwide Wheel-Jam Strike May Be Announced if Public Is Not Given Relief in the Upcoming Budget
Lahore: Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore, Ziauddin Ansari Advocate while addressing media representatives, described the recent reduction in petrol prices as insignificant and inadequate, stating that it is “too little to make any meaningful difference” for the public. He said that the government is currently charging approximately Rs. 120 per litre in petroleum levy and related taxes, placing an unbearable burden on ordinary citizens.He stated that daily wage earners, motorcycle riders, delivery workers, students, and the middle class are among those suffering the most from the high cost of fuel. While petrol prices have witnessed continuous increases over time, the government is now attempting to portray a reduction of only a few rupees as a major relief package, which does not address the hardships faced by the people.Ziauddin Ansari Advocate said that petrol prices have increased from around Rs. 250 per litre to nearly Rs. 375 per litre, affecting every sector of the economy and contributing significantly to inflation and the rising prices of essential commodities. He added that current economic policies have further intensified the difficulties faced by youth, workers, and low-income families.He demanded that the government, in the upcoming federal budget, reduce petrol prices to around Rs. 250 per litre and immediately abolish the Rs. 120 per litre petroleum levy. He further suggested that Pakistan should procure crude oil from countries such as Iran and the United Arab Emirates and refine petroleum products locally, which would significantly lower costs and enable the provision of affordable fuel to consumers.The Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore emphasized that providing relief to the public is the government’s fundamental responsibility and that the elimination of excessive taxes on petroleum products has become an urgent necessity.He warned that if the upcoming budget fails to provide substantial relief to the public and does not reduce the burden of petroleum taxes, Jamaat-e-Islami will consider announcing a nationwide wheel-jam strike as part of its public protest campaign against anti-people economic policies.
