Adding fuel to fire: Netizens outrage over yet another petrol price hike

After yet another hike in the prices of petroleoum products, netizens vent on social media. Prices of petroleum products have increased by a staggering total of Rs60 in less than a month. This new "revelation" came just hours after the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) announced an increase in the price of power tariffs by Rs7.9 per unit.

Journalist Kazmi Wajahat shared the terrible rush outside petrol pumps before the new prices were set to take effect at 12 midnight.

"Terrible situation outside petrol pumps in Karachi with extremely long queues as [the] government will increase the price by Rs 30 per liter from midnight. A total of Rs 60 per liter has been increased in last few days. And the petrol price will be increased further in coming days."

Journalist Usman Hanif said that petrol stations have closed due to the rush of people and feared that tensions might escalate.

"People rushed towards #Petrol after [the] government announced another hike of Rs 30 in just few days. pumps shut down to avoid the mobs. People say fuel mafia wants to make extra profit by holding it by 12 tonight as the new prices will take effect after that."

Sports anchor Abdul Ghaffar shared an image of a bicycle and captioned it as the "future".

While other countries may envision futuristic modes of transport as self-driving or flying cars, Pakistani social media users have circulated images of the humble eco-friendly bicycle as petroleum rates have skyrocketed.

Another user proposed taking a leaf out of the pages of tradition and going back to horse-drawn carts.

Amidst petroleum-free transportation jokes, a photograph of two passengers on a bicycle, with one holding a broken car door was also shared.

Social media user Ahsan Janjua posted his Google search result on the current price of bicycles.

Many netizens are feeling a painful pinch in their wallets after the continuous price increases. A Twitter user shared an image of two motorcycles with prices listed below.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan called for a protest after Friday prayer to show the public's outrage.

'I want everyone to come out & protest peacefully after Juma prayers tomorrow against this Imported govt's anti-people policies of massive price hikes to crush the public & wreak economic havoc in the country since they have no stakes here as their assets are all abroad. '