Peshawar (Khyber Point) Advisor to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Dr. Saif, has strongly criticized the recent fuel price hike, warning that the move will trigger a new wave of inflation across the country.
Speaking to reporters in Peshawar, Barrister Saif described the increase as a “petrol bomb” dropped on the public under the cover of night by what he termed a “fake government.” He argued that the latest surge in petrol prices negates the administration’s claims of controlling inflation and instead threatens to worsen the already dire economic situation.
“The rise in fuel prices will increase the cost of essential commodities, from food items to transport,” he said. “This is not just a price adjustment—it is the beginning of another inflationary storm that will crush ordinary citizens.”
Drawing comparisons with the tenure of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Dr. Saif pointed out that petrol then cost just Rs. 150 per liter, while basic food items were available at nearly half their current prices. “Back then, people could afford to feed their families. Today, this so-called government has forced citizens into hunger and desperation,” he remarked.
He further accused the federal government of ignoring the suffering of the poor while repeatedly increasing fuel and diesel prices, making life unbearable for the majority of Pakistanis. “The people have been pushed to the brink. This latest increase is nothing short of cruelty,” he added.
Economists also caution that the rise in petrol prices is likely to have a cascading effect on inflation. With higher transport costs, the prices of flour, vegetables, and other daily necessities are expected to climb further. Public anger is mounting as many fear the hike will drive more families below the poverty line.
Critics argue that the government should have explored alternative strategies to stabilize revenue and foreign reserves instead of passing the burden directly onto the people. They warn that continuous hikes could not only fuel economic instability but also spark widespread protests.
As Pakistan grapples with mounting fiscal challenges, the latest decision on fuel prices has intensified the political debate, with opposition voices like Barrister Saif branding it a symbol of mismanagement and betrayal of public trust.
