Rawalpindi: A sharp rise in fuel prices has triggered widespread backlash across Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with residents and business leaders urging the government to immediately roll back the increase.

According to a report by Dawn, citizens have voiced strong concerns over what they describe as an “unprecedented and unjustified” hike, warning that it will severely erode purchasing power while driving up costs across key sectors including transport, industry and agriculture.

The impact is already being felt in local markets. Prices of essential food items such as vegetables, flour and meat have begun to climb, while commuters are facing higher fares as taxi and rickshaw operators pass on the increased fuel costs.

Fears of a broader inflationary surge are growing. Muhammad Afzal, a resident of Chaklala Scheme-III, said school van operators have already raised monthly fees by PKR 1,000, adding to the financial strain on households.

He noted that while businesses tend to maintain profit margins, the burden of rising petroleum prices ultimately falls on daily wage earners and salaried individuals, who are forced to pay more for basic necessities.

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Another resident, Faisal Mughal, criticised the move as an attempt to “economically suffocate the masses”, warning that transporters would now be justified in increasing inter-city fares, further disadvantaging low-income families.

Business leaders have also expressed alarm. The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) warned that the price hike would have far-reaching economic consequences. RCCI President Usman Shaukat said the increase had effectively doubled transportation costs, which would inevitably drive up food prices and construction expenses.

He further highlighted a disconnect between domestic fuel pricing and global market trends, attributing the surge to what he described as a record petroleum levy of PKR 160.61 per litre.

To ease the pressure, Shaukat called on the government to reduce non-essential expenditure and temporarily halt certain development projects. He also urged federal authorities to engage with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure that the burden of taxation is not passed directly on to consumers.

Political figures have also condemned the decision. Pakistan Peoples Party Workers President Safdar Ali Abbasi and Naheed Khan, a former aide to Benazir Bhutto, described the increase as “economic oppression”, alleging it was being imposed under the pretext of regional instability.

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They warned that the move risks pushing the working class to a breaking point, threatening their ability to sustain basic living standards.

In Islamabad, residents expressed similar concerns, questioning how they could cope with petrol prices approaching PKR 459 per litre, with many describing the situation as far more severe than a routine price adjustment.

In a temporary relief measure, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that public transport in Islamabad will be free for all passengers for a period of 30 days. The initiative, introduced on the Prime Minister’s directive, is set to come into effect from Saturday.

(ANI)