April 25, according to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, petrol and diesel prices jump sharply again. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif don resist multiple proposals to raise prices despite rising international rates. But on April 2, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announce sharp increase, 43% for petrol and 55% for HSD, plus targeted subsidy plan. A day later, the prime minister reduce petroleum levy by Rs80 per litre, bring petrol prices down to Rs378. Further relief follow on April 10, when petrol and diesel prices cut by Rs12 and Rs135 per litre, respectively.
Petrol, wey dey use for private vehicles, motorcycles, and rickshaws, directly affect budgets of middle and lower-income households. Meanwhile, HSD, wey heavy transport and power generators dey consume, influence freight costs and broader inflation. The weekly price adjustments come amid volatility in global oil markets triggered by recent US–Israel conflict with Iran, wey disrupt supply chains due to temporary closure of Strait of Hormuz. Since conflict start on February 28, domestic fuel prices don see significant fluctuations. On March 6, government implement steep increase of Rs55 per litre, followed by austerity measures announced days later.
After sharp increase in petroleum prices, public go face fresh increase in transport fares. As per report by Samaa TV, meeting hold for Lahore Transport House between Regional Transport Authority and transport operators, wey result in fare adjustment of 3 to 4 percent. But authorities approve only limited increase and warn against any unauthorised fare escalation. RTA secretary Rana Mohsin negotiate with transport operators, wey earlier demand steeper hikes due to rising fuel costs. He also emphasise say no transporter go charge beyond approved range and warn of strict action against violators. The RTA secretary note say petroleum prices surge by over 7 percent, wey result in hike in transport fares.
Fares from Lahore to Rawalpindi don jump to PKR 2,340, while travel to Peshawar now cost PKR 3,100. Fares from Faisalabad and Sargodha rise to PKR 1,260, and Lahore-Karachi route go cost PKR 9,720. Malik Shahzad Awan, alliance president, criticise government fuel pricing policies and argue say current subsidy of PKR 80,000 no sufficient. He claim say current operational costs increase significantly, with expenses rising by up to PKR 2 lakh per trip. He also say global tensions don disrupt nearly half of transport operations, compounding crises. Many countries, including Pakistan, don significantly increase fuel prices after conflict for Middle East, wey start on February 28 after Israel and US jointly launch airstrikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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