Petroleum price freeze draws criticism as minister defends decision

ISLAMABAD: The government’s decision to leave petroleum prices unchanged despite a drop in international oil prices has triggered criticism from opposition leaders and political commentators, while Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has defended the move, saying any relief would be passed on in line with the country’s international commitments.

A day earlier, the government decided to keep the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel unchanged at Rs299.50 and Rs311.47 per litre, respectively, till further orders. The decision prompted questions over why consumers were not being given the benefit of lower global oil prices.

In a post on X on Saturday, Malik shared international Platts prices for petroleum products. According to the figures he posted, petrol traded between $98.35 and $91.68 per barrel during the week, while high-speed diesel ranged between $109.09 and $104.79 per barrel.

He said the government was not extending favour to any specific sector or shifting an unfair burden onto the public. "The government is committed, within the scope of its international obligations, to pass on any benefit to the consumers," Malik added.

The minister also said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had so far reduced the price of high-speed diesel by a cumulative Rs200 per litre and petrol by Rs155 per litre.

Opposition criticism

The clarification came as criticism mounted over the latest pricing decision. Former Sindh governor Mohammad Zubair questioned why domestic fuel prices remained elevated despite what he described as international oil prices returning to pre-war levels.

"Despite international oil prices at the pre-war level, in Pakistan petrol price still remains Rs300 per litre. Why not pass the benefit to people?" he asked in a statement on the issue.

PTI leader Haleem Adil Sheikh also criticised the government, saying fuel prices had decreased in many parts of the world but relief had not been transferred to Pakistani consumers. "Yet Pakistan's corrupt government has once again refused to pass any relief on to the public. After previously hiking fuel prices by Rs137/litre on stock purchased at much lower rates - handing massive windfall profits to oil marketing companies and petrol pumps—it has repeated the same act. The people pay, while the corrupt protect vested interests," he added.

JUI-F reaction

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl also condemned the decision, describing it as a sign of indifference towards the public. Party spokesperson Aslam Ghauri said keeping petroleum product prices unchanged for a week amounted to an oppressive step.

Ghauri said international petroleum prices had already fallen below pre-war levels and alleged that the government had protected the interests of petroleum companies during both upward and downward price movements. "The Iranian people haven't suffered as much damage due to the war as the Pakistani people have endured," he claimed.