Hike in fuel prices widely condemned

The Coordinating Committee of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has strongly condemned the continued and recent hike in petrol and diesel prices, which have gone up by Rs26 and Rs17 respectively overnight.

The statement released on Saturday decried that the prices of petroleum products have now reached historic peaks in the country.

This abrupt increase in petroleum prices in the current month has exacerbated the plight of the already struggling populace, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds.

This approach, they argued, has led to an alarming wealth gap, with the rich getting richer while pushing the poor far below the poverty line.

The party demanded that alternative strategies be considered to address the country's economic deficit and debt issues.

They called for an immediate rollback of the recent increases in petroleum product prices and urged the government to provide relief to the suffering population.

Meanwhile, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), President, M. Tariq Yousuf, has also expressed concern on the significant increase in the prices of petroleum product.

He said that the rising production costs are poised to pose substantial challenges for industries in the internatioanl market.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2023.