The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced its intention to organize an All Parties Conference (APC) comprising “like-minded” political groups to address the recent substantial rise in petroleum product prices. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan revealed this plan during a press briefing in Islamabad on Friday, condemning the PML-N-led administration for the drastic fuel price surge.
While acknowledging the influence of the ongoing Middle East conflict on global energy costs, Khan argued that the government’s fuel price increases have been disproportionately high, exceeding those implemented in countries such as Nigeria and Vietnam. This announcement follows Thursday’s significant escalation in petrol and diesel prices.
At a separate press conference, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik disclosed the new rates, attributing the hikes to rising international energy prices driven by the Middle East war. Petrol prices were raised by Rs137.23 per litre to Rs458.41, while diesel increased by Rs184.49 per litre, reaching Rs520.35.
The PTI, however, rejected these increases, with party leaders highlighting that the new rates were further burdened by additional levies. PTI leader Taimur Saleem Jhagra criticized the government during Friday’s press event, recalling that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier promised to reduce fuel prices. Jhagra accused the government of compounding the price surge through extra charges, including higher customs duties, and claimed the prime minister was now avoiding public accountability.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s adviser Rana Sanaullah defended the government’s pricing decisions, emphasizing the subsidies and relief measures introduced to support the public. In a televised statement, Sanaullah accused certain groups of misleading the public amid the challenging circumstances and called on the opposition to set aside political differences to aid national stability.
Sanaullah detailed that austerity policies and targeted assistance programs were underway, noting that the prime minister chaired a meeting on Thursday focused on delivering relief to citizens. He mentioned specific support for farmers and motorcyclists, along with subsidies designed to stabilize transportation costs for goods.
He stressed that despite regional tensions driving up fuel prices, the government has made every effort to minimize the impact on consumers. Sanaullah also warned that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could have serious global repercussions, including for Pakistan’s economy and energy security.
