Pakistan’s Opposition Criticizes Government for Petrol Price Hike
In Islamabad, Pakistan’s opposition parties have voiced strong criticism against the central government for increasing the prices of petroleum products. This decision is expected to further burden the inflation-stricken population. Contrary to market expectations, the government raised the petrol price by PKR 1.35 per litre, making it PKR 248.38 per litre, effective until November 15. High-speed diesel saw an increase of PKR 3.85, now costing PKR 255.14 per litre.
However, there was a slight relief as kerosene oil prices decreased by PKR 1.48 to PKR 161.54, and light diesel oil dropped by PKR 2.61 to PKR 147.51 per litre. Opposition parties, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan-Tehreek-I-Insaaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami, expressed their displeasure. Jamaat-e-Islami’s Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman called the price hike “shameful” and criticized the government for not providing relief to the public or the industrial sector.
Hafiz Naeem pointed out that while international prices are decreasing, Pakistan is experiencing price hikes. He urged the government not to “take out its frustration over PIA’s privatisation failures” on the public. PIA, Pakistan’s national airline, has faced inefficiencies and losses, impacting the national exchequer.
Petrol is mainly used in private transportation, affecting middle and lower-middle-class budgets. High-speed diesel is vital for larger transport sectors, and its price increase directly impacts the cost of essential goods, affecting everyday food prices.
Doubts Revealed
Opposition Parties -: In a country, opposition parties are political groups that are not currently in power. They often challenge and criticize the decisions made by the ruling government.
PKR -: PKR stands for Pakistani Rupee, which is the currency used in Pakistan. It’s similar to how we use Indian Rupees (INR) in India.
Jamaat-e-Islami -: Jamaat-e-Islami is a political and religious party in Pakistan. It is known for its conservative views and often participates in political discussions and decisions.
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman -: Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman is a leader from the Jamaat-e-Islami party in Pakistan. He is known for speaking out on political and social issues.
PIA -: PIA stands for Pakistan International Airlines, which is the national airline of Pakistan. It is similar to Air India in India.
Privatisation -: Privatisation means transferring the ownership of a business or service from the government to private individuals or companies. This can sometimes lead to changes in how the service is run.