Islamabad, May 10: The people of Pakistan are struggling under the relentless rise in petroleum product prices. The surge in petrol and diesel costs is significantly impacting daily life. In response, transporters in Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have taken to the streets, staging massive protests against the government.
According to The Express Tribune, dozens of transport operators gathered at the Haji Camp terminal in Peshawar on Saturday, demanding a reduction in fuel prices.
Transport leader Zubair Ahmed Qureshi addressed the protesters, highlighting the rising fuel costs while CNG remains unavailable. He stated, “Eid is approaching, but hyperinflation has made shopping impossible. Unemployment has already devastated the poor. This is a severe injustice to the lower-income class. Flour is now out of reach for the common man, and rising prices mean burying people alive.”
Transporters are frustrated, questioning why fares have increased for the fifth time in a month following new fuel adjustments. Reports indicate that fares for air-conditioned vehicles have surged, while non-air-conditioned bus fares have risen by five percent.
Travel costs from Peshawar to Nowshera, Mardan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swat, and Malakand have skyrocketed from PKR 50 to 500. Passengers traveling to Rawalpindi and Lahore now face an additional expense of up to PKR 3,000. The minimum fare for city buses in Peshawar has increased from PKR 10 to PKR 30, and freight charges have also risen.
On April 30, the Pakistani government raised the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by PKR 19.39 per liter and petrol by PKR 6.51 per liter for a week.
According to a notification from Pakistan’s Petroleum Division, the price of HSD has been increased from PKR 380.19 to PKR 399.58, while petrol will now be sold at PKR 399.86 per liter, up from PKR 393.35.
HSD is crucial for transportation and agriculture. With the sowing season underway, this price hike is expected to impact farming. Increased transportation costs are also likely to raise fertilizer prices.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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