Shock to the common man, petrol price rises to Rs 300 per litre; long queue for fuel

Islamabad (The Uttam Hindu): The impact of escalating tensions between Iran , the United States , and Israel is now clearly visible on Pakistan's economy. Amid already high oil prices, the government has imposed a hefty levy on high-octane fuel used in luxury vehicles.

The decision, made following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif , raises the total levy on high-octane fuel to 300 rupees per liter. The levy was previously 100 rupees, which was increased to 200 rupees, bringing the total to 300 rupees per liter.

The government expects monthly savings of ₹9 billion, according to the Prime Minister's Office. The government says this additional amount will be used for relief programs for the general public.

Long queues were seen at petrol pumps in many cities even before the price hike announcement. People rushed to fill their tanks in advance to avoid the rising prices. However, the prices of petrol and diesel, used in common vehicles, have not been changed.

It is noteworthy that earlier this month also the Pakistan government had increased the prices of petrol and diesel by about Rs 55 per liter.

The government has taken several tough decisions to reduce expenditures due to economic pressure. Salaries of ministers and government employees have been cut, fuel allowances for government vehicles have been reduced by 50%, and a four-day work week has been implemented in government offices. Additionally, approximately 50% of public sector employees have been instructed to work from home.