A sigh of relief for the Pakistanis, who are cursing the government for jacking up the fuel prices by Rs84 within a month that oil prices have tumbled about 6% to a four-week low.
The prices fell on worries that interest rate hikes by major central banks could slow the global economy and cut demand for energy.
In the recent fuel hike, the citizens as usual rushed to the fuel pump and were left with a deep sense of unease thinking about what the days ahead will bring.
The increase in fuel price affects routine life as all the edible items also go up, causing problems for the salaried and working-class people, who are working on daily wages.
The recent fuel hike has broken out protests on a small scale across the country and in Sindh’s Nawabshah, two drivers et their rickshaws on fire in protest, but no organized movement or protest was held against the recent hike. Other than PTI chairman Imran Khan, who has given a countrywide strike call today (Sunday) against rising fuel prices and inflation.
We have a recent example of Sri Lanka, where the whole country took to the street against rising inflation as the country went bankrupt and even no money was left to buy fuel.
In Ecuador, the powerful Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) is also protesting against increasing fuel prices and inflation and has said it would maintain the blockades until the government meets a list of 10 demands.
Fuel prices in Ecuador have risen sharply since 2020, almost doubling for diesel from $1 to $1.90 per gallon (3.8 liters) and rising from $1.75 to $2.55 for petrol.
Conaie — which has been credited with helping topple three Ecuadoran presidents between 1997 and 2005 — wants the price reduced to $1.50 for diesel and $2.10 for petrol, a demand the government has so far rejected.
Highlighting the examples of Sri Lanka and Ecuador does not mean that I’m provoking people to hit the streets but a peaceful and an organised movement is need of a hour to assert government to reduce fuel prices in accordance with the international market as the government is reportedly considering to further increase the fuel prices.
