Pakistan introduces fuel-saving measures: sharp price rise pressures citizens and transport
Rising energy prices are a blow felt not only by markets but by ordinary people. When fuel becomes more expensive, everything becomes more expensive: the road to school, groceries, work. Saving becomes not a choice but a necessity, and the state is forced to seek a balance between supporting the population and limited resources.
Pakistan has introduced a new round of fuel-saving measures as a sharp rise in international oil prices puts increasing pressure on the country's energy supply, transport costs and people's livelihoods. Under these measures, government agencies will cut fuel supplies for official vehicles by 50 percent over three months.
Shops, markets, shopping centres and bazaars will close at 21:00, while restaurants and cafes will close at 23:00. These measures are being taken amid a sharp rise in domestic fuel prices over the past 15 days. The price of petrol has risen by about 37 Pakistani rupees (about $0.13) per litre, bringing the retail price close to 400 rupees (about $1.44) per litre.
"When I go to school, and today I took an Indrive, the usual price, which ranged from 400 to 500 rupees, now shows 700 to 800," said a local resident. "Most of the money we earn in a day of hard work, I give to the petrol station. After a working day I earn only about 500-1000 rupees, or nothing at all, so I return home empty-handed," noted one taxi driver.
Rising energy prices have increased transport costs and household expenses. In the capital Islamabad, most fruits, vegetables, fresh produce and other essentials are delivered from other parts of the country. Therefore, higher fuel prices have led to higher logistics costs, which are passed on to consumers, contributing to an overall rise in the prices of essential goods.
As reported by CCTV+, the introduced measures reflect growing pressure on Pakistan's economy and the authorities' desire to mitigate the effects of global oil price increases on the population.
