Key Takeaways
- PTI lawmakers in Sindh arrived at the provincial assembly on donkey carts to protest against rising fuel prices.
- The government has introduced a relief scheme for small vehicles but faced challenges on its first day.
- Fuel prices have increased significantly due to renewed hostilities in the Middle East disrupting oil supply routes.
PTI lawmakers in Sindh have staged a symbolic protest by arriving at the provincial assembly on donkey carts, highlighting the impact of soaring fuel prices on the common man.
In a video shared on social media, Sajjad Ali, a PTI MPA, was seen riding a donkey cart and holding a placard, leading other lawmakers to follow suit.
The protest was aimed at drawing attention to the plight of the public, with Ali stating, 'Petrol has become so expensive that we cannot even come to the assembly in our vehicles.'
The recent increase in petrol prices, which now stands at Rs390.79 per litre, has been attributed to renewed hostilities in the Middle East disrupting major oil supply routes.
The government has introduced a relief scheme for users of motorcycles, autos, and vehicles up to 800cc, but faced challenges on its first day of implementation.
On Thursday, many petrol pumps declined to honour the digital app launched for the scheme, citing a lack of necessary systems to provide petrol at the reduced rate.
Meanwhile, the federal government has reintroduced austerity measures, including setting 9pm as the closing time for markets and reducing fuel provision for official vehicles by 50 per cent for three months.
A joint meeting of the Executive Committee and Rules Committee of the Pakistan Bar Council also condemned the daily increases in fuel prices, demanding government action.
The government's relief scheme is intended to alleviate the burden of rising global oil prices on small vehicles, but its implementation has faced initial hurdles.
The ministers and [treasury] MPAs should also reach the assembly the same way on donkey carts.
Sajjad Ali, PTI MPA
