Rising oil prices also raised the cost of fruits, vegetables and other essential items.
Gasoline increase. Photo: archive
LAHORE:
A sharp rise of Rs 55 per liter in oil prices has intensified the cost of living, with residents reporting higher transport fares and rising prices of everyday items.
Following the government’s late-night announcement, citizens said the increase had led to a rise in prices ranging from food to transportation costs.
People also reported disputes at gasoline pumps, where employees refused to dispense fuel worth less than a liter. According to residents, many customers asked for petrol worth Rs 150 or Rs 200, but the pump staff refused, saying that the speed of the nozzle is fixed and the fuel is dispensed in larger or smaller quantities, leading to frequent arguments.
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Rising oil prices also raised the cost of fruits, vegetables and other daily necessities. Traders said the transportation cost to bring fruits, vegetables and produce was earlier around Rs 1,000 per trip, but now it had increased to between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000.
Drivers providing pick-up and delivery services for schoolchildren have also increased their rates, and residents say the entire burden has fallen on the public.
Citizens said rising prices had made life increasingly difficult, adding that they were having difficulty choosing between buying fuel and meeting basic household needs.
talking to The express PAkGazetteResidents, including Amir, Babar, Intikhab, Zahoor and Rashid, said salaries were already low while inflation continued to rise.
Amir said that earlier he bought petrol worth Rs 1,000, which lasted him about 15 days, but now the same amount would not last him even four days.
Rashid, who works in loading and unloading, said work was already scarce and he wondered how much more people could afford to pay in transport costs.
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Rickshaw driver Ilyas said passengers often argued over fares and trips were already limited, adding that it would be difficult for passengers to pay between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 per trip.
Residents also said the government should have considered the impact before increasing prices, adding that although a relief of Rs 10,000 had been announced for Ramazan, the price hike had cost much more from people’s pockets.
