Once again, we can the government of Pakistan has given the reason for opposition to talk against them. Once again, they have another reason to destroy their image in the eyes of the general public. On Saturday the govt issued a new notification about the fuel prices. Prices of petroleum products have increased again. As we all know that the major consumers of these utilities are middle-class persons and those are affected most due to these decisions. Petroleum prices are reached at its highest level in history. They have increased the prices of petrol by PKR 10 which took the price to around PKR 138 and prices of diesel increased by PKR 12 per liter which has taken the price to PKR 135 per liter.
The petroleum prices increased due to rising in price globally. These prices will not only have inflationary effects but will also disturb the budget allocated for a specific year. Especially it will give a rise in the budget of Aviation industry i.e., Aviation of Air force, Pak Army Aviation, and Pak Navy. However, the government representatives are still saying that the prices of petroleum in Pakistan are less than that in the region. They are saying that the price of crude oil in the international market is $85 which is the highest since October 2018 and due to this all fuels related to crude oil have price hikes. Experts are making relation of petroleum prices to the post-Covid-19 industrial recovery. They are saying that as there is more demand for oil in the world due to the re-opening of industries and travels, that’s why prices of petroleum are increased.
Kerosene
Prices of kerosene oil are also increased and that mainly will affect the people who are living in rural areas especially those who are living in hilly areas as there is no LPG available. They use this oil to cook food in their homes. It is for the first time in history that all petroleum products have crossed the benchmark of PKR 100. The finance ministry is still saying that the government has absorbed the pressure of international price rise and tried to provide maximum relief to the public by keeping the sales taxes and levy to the minimum.
Travelling
If we have a view of the impact of petrol prices on a common man we will see that a middle-class man travels via two main sources, either it is personal transport or public transport. Most of these are traveling via a 2-wheeler. Public transport is majorly used for intercity travel. Due to the increase in the prices of Diesel, all transporters have increased their Buses fares for intercity travel. The fare of Lahore to Karachi has increased by PKR 200 and the new fare is now 3,800. The new fare from Lahore to Peshawar is 1,600 after a hike of PKR 100. From Lahore to Faisalabad fare has increased by PKR 100 and from Lahore to Multan is now PKR 1,230.
General Items
Along with the fares for intercity transport the prices of the general house using items will also increase as the transportation for them is increased due to an increase in prices of diesel.
Govt. must have to think about all of these issues and must have to provide as many subsidies as it can for making the lives of the general public better.
