Increase in petrol prices also pushed up the price of fruits, vegetables and other daily necessities
Gasoline rush. Photo: file
LAHORE:
A sharp increase of Rs 55 per liter in oil prices has exacerbated the cost of living, with residents reporting higher transport fares and rising prices of daily necessities.
After the government’s overnight announcement, citizens said the increase had triggered a rise in prices ranging from food to transport costs.
People also reported disagreements at petrol pumps where attendants refused to dispense less than one liter worth of fuel. According to residents, many customers asked for petrol worth Rs150 or Rs200, but the pump staff refused, saying the nozzle speed is fixed and fuel is either dispensed in smaller or larger quantities, leading to frequent arguments.
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The rise in petrol prices also pushed up the price of fruits, vegetables and other daily necessities. Shopkeepers said the transport cost of bringing fruits, vegetables and goods had earlier been around Rs1,000 per trip but had now risen to between Rs2,500 and Rs3,000.
Drivers who provide pick-and-drop services to school children have also hiked their fares and residents say the entire burden has been shifted to the public.
Citizens said the price hike had made life increasingly difficult, adding that they were struggling to choose between buying fuel and meeting basic household needs.
speaks to Express Pakinomistresidents including Amir, Babar, Intikhab, Zahoor and Rashid said wages were already low while inflation continued to rise.
Amir said that he used to buy Rs 1,000 worth of petrol which lasted about 15 days, but now the same amount would not last even four days.
Rashid, who works in loading and unloading, said work was already scarce and questioned how much more people could afford to pay in transport charges.
Read more: Petrol pumps may close within days as retailers warn of supply disruptions
Rickshaw driver Ilyas said passengers often argued over prices and rides were already limited, adding that it would be difficult for passengers to pay Rs500 to Rs1,000 per ride.
Residents also said the government should have considered the impact before increasing the prices, adding that though a relief of Rs 10,000 had been announced for Ramazan, the price hike had taken far more from people’s pockets.
