Opposition Erupts Over Fuel Hike: PTI slams 'petrol bomb', JI threatens nationwide protests

ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties on Friday launched a scathing attack on the government over the sharp increase in petroleum prices, with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) warning of protests and political mobilisation against the move.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said petrol was an essential commodity with “no alternative,” adding that any increase in its price disproportionately affected the poor and farmers.

He acknowledged that the ongoing Middle East conflict had contributed to rising global prices, but claimed that the increase in Pakistan had exceeded that of several countries, including Vietnam and Nigeria.

Gohar also criticised the government for failing to take Parliament into confidence regarding its diplomatic and economic response to the crisis. He alleged that authorities were unable to curb hoarding and smuggling of petroleum products and were instead passing the burden of the petroleum levy onto the public.

He announced that the PTI would convene an all-party conference on the issue, inviting “like-minded” political forces to chart a joint response.

PTI leader Taimur Saleem Jhagra, who was also present, lashed out at the government, terming the hike a continuation of an earlier “petrol bomb.”

“The petrol bomb was dropped earlier, and now this increase is adding fuel to the fire,” he said, criticising the government’s handling of fuel pricing decisions. He also took aim at Shehbaz Sharif, saying the prime minister should have addressed the nation directly on the issue.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman warned of a countrywide protest movement if the price hike was not withdrawn.

Speaking at a public gathering in Mansoora and a protest demonstration on Multan Road in Lahore, he said the party would escalate its response, including surrounding the residences of chief ministers across all four provinces and observing a nationwide strike.

Rehman alleged that the government was collecting over Rs200 per litre in taxes on petrol, calling it an exploitative measure that was placing an unbearable burden on citizens. He demanded an immediate reduction in fuel and electricity prices.

Criticising the ruling elite, he said authorities were using global crises as a pretext to increase prices, while failing to pass on relief during periods of declining international oil prices. He also condemned what he described as extravagant spending by the government amid rising inflation faced by ordinary citizens.