Syed Ali Shah:
QUETTA: Residents in Quetta have expressed deep concern over the recent sharp increase in petroleum prices, calling it one of the highest hikes in Pakistan’s history and warning that it will place an additional burden on citizens already struggling with inflation.
Many residents questioned the sudden increase, claiming that petroleum supplies had reportedly been stocked for several weeks. They said that if sufficient reserves were already available, the abrupt rise in prices has created confusion and frustration among the public. According to citizens, the decision has raised serious questions about how fuel pricing is managed while people continue to face growing economic pressure.
Vehicle owners and transport workers in the provincial capital were particularly critical of the increase, saying it would directly affect their livelihoods and the daily lives of ordinary people. Abdul Rahman, a taxi driver in Quetta, said the hike would force transporters to increase fares. “When petrol prices go up, we have no choice but to charge more for transport, and that eventually affects passengers and daily commuters,” he said.
Another vehicle owner, Naseer Ahmed, who operates a small delivery van, said the rise in fuel costs would inevitably push up the prices of goods and essential commodities. “Fuel is linked to transportation. When transportation becomes expensive, the cost of vegetables, flour, and other daily items also increases,” he explained.
Similarly, Haji Karim Baloch, a rickshaw driver, said the increase would hit low-income families the hardest. “Poor people and the middle class are already struggling to manage household expenses. Higher petrol prices will make life even more difficult,” he said, urging authorities to consider relief measures.
Residents emphasized that fuel prices play a critical role in determining transportation and distribution costs across markets. Many warned that the latest hike could lead to an increase in the prices of commodities in the coming days, further affecting common people and small businesses across the province.
