Government Performs Major U-Turn — Refuses to Reduce Petrol Prices Despite Global Oil Drop

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has flatly refused to reduce petrol prices, delivering a blow to millions of Pakistanis who had been expecting relief following a decline in global oil prices. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik stated that while petroleum product prices have fallen internationally, the prevailing conditions mean there is unlikely to be any significant change in domestic prices.
Defending the government’s position on fuel pricing, the minister posed a pointed question: “If we had not increased petrol prices, what was the alternative?” He argued that PTI had played politics with petrol prices during the no-confidence vote in 2022, a move he said had caused serious damage to the national economy. He warned that repeating such political games over fuel pricing could once again prove costly for the country.
The government’s stance has been widely condemned as a blatant U-turn and a betrayal of public trust. Citizens argue that whenever global oil prices rise, the government is quick to pass on the burden to consumers, yet when prices fall internationally, domestic relief is withheld — a pattern they describe as open deception.
Key Statements by Petroleum Minister:
Global petroleum prices have fallen but significant domestic price changes are unlikely given current conditions
What was the alternative if petrol prices had not been raised?
PTI’s political games over petrol prices in 2022 caused serious harm to Pakistan’s economy
Economic analysts point out that denying relief to consumers despite a notable drop in global crude oil prices raises serious questions about the government’s priorities. With inflation already squeezing household budgets, the public had pinned high hopes on a reduction in fuel prices — hopes that have now been dashed by the minister’s statement.