Opposition protests fuel price hike in National Assembly

Pakistan’s opposition lawmakers on Monday strongly criticised a sharp increase in petroleum prices during a heated session of the National Assembly of Pakistan, while the government defended the move, citing volatility in global oil markets.

The debate began when opposition member Shahid Khatak called for the suspension of the question hour to discuss the price hike. The demand received broad support across opposition benches, prompting Ayaz Sadiq to allow a dedicated discussion.

Responding to criticism, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said international oil prices surged following recent tensions in the Middle East, particularly after conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. He stated the government had absorbed the financial burden for several weeks, amounting to Rs50–60 billion weekly, before passing on the increase.

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The minister explained that Pakistan imports up to 90 percent of its petroleum needs, making it vulnerable to global supply disruptions. He added that alternative supply routes had been activated, including shipments via Yanbu in Saudi Arabia and Fujairah in the UAE, to maintain uninterrupted fuel availability despite rising insurance and transportation costs.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told lawmakers the government had implemented contingency measures over the past five weeks and provided over Rs100 billion in subsidies to cushion the impact on vulnerable groups.

Opposition leaders, including Gohar Ali Khan, questioned why fuel prices in Pakistan had risen more sharply than in neighbouring countries. Others called for reducing petroleum levies and expanding the tax base to provide relief.

Lawmakers across parties stressed the need for broader economic reforms as rising fuel costs continue to impact inflation and public sentiment nationwide.