Cycles, work from home, long walks: Pakistani Twitter think of alternatives after petrol hike

The government announced an Rs35 increase in petrol prices on Sunday

Pakistanis had a particularly stressful Sunday morning today as they woke up to the news of a sudden Rs35 hike in petrol prices amidst an economic crisis. After the rupee devaluation, nationwide blackouts and gas shortages, a petrol hike was the last thing they wanted.

Frustrated and helpless, users took to Twitter to rant about their concerns and how the sudden price increase will shatter the masses. With memes, serious tweets, suggestions for alternatives to cars, protest updates and more, here’s how Pakistanis coped with the rather stressful news.

Well, (good?) morning to you too!
It is safe to say that this weekend was not at all relaxing for Pakistanis, at least. 

anyways i just woke up to find out that apparently Islamabad had an earthquake, there is a public holiday on Monday, and the petrol is 35 rupees more expensive? man, you have one good sleep and suddenly you are out of the loop.

— Hamza (@wingsforus) January 29, 2023

Woke up by the sound of petrol bomb. Happy Sunday y’all!

— S (@PsychedSam) January 29, 2023

Only in #Pakistan you wake up on a weekend morning to #Petrol jacked up by Rs 35 overnight; 44 burnt alive in a bus accident; 11 children drown to their death; 6.3 Earthquake jolts the capital; govt ready to unleash Rs 200 bn in taxes ... and we ain't even through half of Sunday!

— Syed Moayyed Jafri (@moayyedjafri) January 29, 2023

How much more before this ends?
This user is not okay with people just tolerating whatever the government throws at them. 

I wonder what it will take for us to finally get up and put an end to this oppression? Petrol at Rs. 1000? Tax on oxygen? A month long blackout? What kind of crisis are we waiting for to purge the country of this mafia, coz right now we seem ok with everything?!

— Ifrah Maskan | افراح مسکان (@ifrahmaskan) January 29, 2023

This petrol hike is a bomb for the poor and middle class. I can not even justify the policies of Miftah and Dar anymore to my PTI friends. Economics ke lectures ek taraf, mehngai ab bardasht se bahir hi ho chuki ha. #Petrolprice

— Naima (@HayatSaddozai14) January 29, 2023

No more free rides to anyone. My heart and pocket both cannot take this petrol hike anymore.

— Noor ul Huda (@noorrulhudaa) January 28, 2023

Can we go back to work from home again?
Users are demanding COVID-schedule all over again. Some are even suggesting having a larger petrol allowance in salaries to cope with this hike. 

After petrol price hitting Rs.250, nation prepare to take a hike daily to work and back home. Salaries must include 50-100 liter petrol allowance as part of package or allow work from home for 2 or 3 days weekly

— Zia Khatri (@ZiaKhatri) January 29, 2023

o bhaii every single company that can get things done remotely should tell everyone to work from home 250/l is MENTAL

— Faizan. (@thoraoffbeat) January 29, 2023

Companies won’t revise salaries with every petrol hike but will ask employees to come office 5 days a week.

— Zunaira Akbar (@MissMacAdams) January 29, 2023

Sad nostalgia
Gone are the days when we were upset about under Rs.5 petrol hikes. 

Breaking News:-
Dar announces 35-rupee hike in petrol price.
Me: pic.twitter.com/8S6SKPgr0i

— Shahid Fareed (@Real__MSF) January 29, 2023

35 rupee increase in petrol price. I bet y'all miss the good old days of 4 rupee 'petrol bombs' 🥲

— اسریٰ (@freakonomist5) January 29, 2023

therapy is expensive so I just see patwaris justifying the petrol hike of 300 who used to cry on Rs.150 during Khan’s government. 10/10 entertainment by the clowns.

— Tooba/Babar Azam Stan Acc (@toobamujeeb_) January 29, 2023

Time to switch to bicycles?

Breaking News:-
Dar announces 35-rupee hike in petrol price.
Me: pic.twitter.com/9I2wUD4V12

— Shahid Fareed (@Real__MSF) January 29, 2023

Me who don't know how to ride a bike watching petrol prices hike. pic.twitter.com/Urvbr2GA6m

— HarisSajid13 (@HarisSajidh) January 29, 2023

The petrol price hike making me regret i didnt learn how to ride a bicycle

— Ahmed (@DontStfuAhmed) January 29, 2023

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced an increase in petrol and diesel prices by Rs35 per litre effective as of 11 am on Sunday.

The minister made the announcement in a brief televised address to the nation today and maintained that Kerosene oil and light diesel oil prices were jacked up by Rs18 per litre. Rejecting reports of petroleum shortages, Dar alleged that “artificial shortages” were being created.

“Ample fuel is available and under normal circumstances, there would be no reason for such shortages to occur,” he said.