Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has voiced strong opposition to the recent surge in fuel prices, urging the federal government to reconsider its approach amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Afridi emphasized that the financial strain caused by rising petroleum costs should not be transferred to ordinary citizens, especially during these challenging times.
Speaking from Peshawar, Afridi outlined the provincial government’s stance on the fuel supply challenges currently facing the country. He revealed that a high-level meeting was convened involving the federal finance and petroleum ministers to assess the potential disruptions in fuel availability, which have been linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The meeting aimed to evaluate the risks posed to supply chains and the subsequent impact on domestic fuel prices.
During his statement, Afridi highlighted that the federal authorities had briefed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration on the looming crisis, stressing the importance of coordinated efforts to mitigate adverse effects on the public. However, he made it clear that the provincial government would not endorse any policy decisions that exacerbate the economic burden on consumers, particularly through increased fuel tariffs.
Afridi criticized the federal government’s fiscal management, pointing out that continuing extravagant expenditures while imposing price hikes on essential commodities is neither fair nor sustainable governance. He argued that instead of passing the costs of international conflicts and supply chain issues onto the public, the government should prioritize reallocating funds from non-essential luxury spending towards providing subsidies to ease the financial pressure on everyday Pakistanis.
He further stressed that raising petrol prices in response to the Iran-US-Israel tensions is a short-sighted measure that fails to address the root causes of the crisis. Afridi called for a more responsible and people-centric approach, urging policymakers to protect vulnerable segments of society by cushioning them from the fallout of external geopolitical developments. His remarks reflect growing concerns within provincial administrations about the socio-economic repercussions of fuel price inflation across Pakistan.
