PTI MPs Protest Petrol Hike on Donkey Carts
In a symbolic act of protest, members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) arrived at the Sindh Assembly on donkey carts, demanding the federal government reverse its recent hike in petrol prices.
The demonstration, led by PTI lawmaker Sajjad Ali, was recorded on video as he rode a donkey cart and held a placard that read ‘petrol bomb dropped on the people.’ Ali and other PTI MPs also carried slogans criticizing the government’s fuel policy and the impact of rising global oil prices on ordinary citizens.
Petrol prices in Pakistan have climbed sharply in recent months, with the latest adjustment setting the retail rate at Rs390.79 per litre and high‑speed diesel at Rs424.92 per litre. The increase is partly attributed to disruptions in Middle Eastern oil supply routes and the government’s daily price‑adjustment mechanism.
In response to the rising costs, the federal government announced a relief scheme aimed at easing the burden on small‑engine vehicle owners. Motorcycles, rickshaws, and other two‑ and three‑wheeler users are eligible for a subsidy of Rs100 per litre on 20 litres of petrol per month, while owners of cars with engines up to 800cc receive a similar subsidy on 30 litres.
However, the rollout of the scheme faced logistical challenges. Many petrol stations declined to honour the digital app used to claim the subsidy, citing a lack of the necessary infrastructure to dispense petrol at the discounted rate.
Alongside the relief measures, the government reintroduced austerity steps, including a 9 p.m. market closing time and a 50 percent reduction in fuel allocation for official vehicles for a three‑month period.
The Pakistan Bar Council’s Executive Committee also condemned the daily fuel price increases, urging the government to implement controls and provide relief to citizens. The protest at the Sindh Assembly underscores the growing public frustration over fuel costs and the perceived disconnect between government policy and the economic realities faced by many Pakistanis.
