PM Sharif rejects proposal to raise petrol, diesel prices

ISLAMABAD, March 20: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday, in his Eid‑al‑Fitr address to the nation, rejected a proposal to sharply increase petrol and diesel prices, saying the move would have further burdened ordinary citizens.

“I was advised to raise petrol prices by Rs76 per litre and diesel by Rs177 per litre,” he said. “Considering the approaching Eid and our sense of collective responsibility, I rejected the proposal. The federal government will bear this week’s burden as well, which amounts to 45 billion rupees.”

Sharif recalled that oil prices had surged globally, rising from $72 to $158 per barrel in just three weeks. The increase of 55 rupees per litre earlier had already severely affected households, making it difficult for many families to meet basic necessities, he said.

“People have once again shown patience and resilience, for which I am deeply grateful,” the prime minister said.

Sharif highlighted that the government had already absorbed a 24-billion-rupee burden from earlier price adjustments on March 13. “In such circumstances, any further hike would have increased the hardships of the common citizen,” he added.

The prime minister also extended Eid greetings to the nation, urging citizens to uphold a sense of unity and social responsibility during the festive occasion. “Eid demands special collective responsibility from all of us,” he said.

He noted that despite rising global oil prices, the government was committed to shielding citizens from excessive inflation in fuel costs. “From today, global oil prices have again surged sharply, yet we are determined to manage the impact on our people,” Sharif said.