BY: ANI Correspondent:
Islamabad/Rawalpindi: Central Secretary Information of the Pakistan Tehreek e-Insaf (PTI) Farmers Wing, Khalid Nawaz Sudhraich, has urged the government to immediately reduce petroleum prices and restore the fuel subsidy for farmers, arguing that international crude oil prices have fallen below pre conflict levels following the end of the US Iran conflict.In a statement issued on Saturday, Sudhraich said that despite the sustained decline in global oil prices, the government has failed to pass on the benefit to Pakistani consumers, contrary to its earlier commitment. He criticized the government for previously announcing a reduction in petrol prices while simultaneously withdrawing the fuel subsidy for farmers and motorcycle riders, effectively denying them meaningful financial relief.He alleged that whenever the government announces relief measures for farmers, it offsets those benefits through other policy decisions, creating frustration and uncertainty within the agricultural sector. According to Sudhraich, the government projects an image of public relief through technical adjustments, while ordinary citizens continue to bear the financial burden.Recalling the government’s response during the US Iran conflict, he said authorities had imposed what he described as the largest increase in petroleum prices in the country’s history, assuring the public that any subsequent decline in international oil prices would be fully passed on to consumers.Sudhraich noted that crude oil prices have now dropped to around US$70 per barrel, below pre conflict levels, and continue to decline. He demanded that the government honor its commitment by reversing the entire increase imposed at the start of the conflict.Highlighting the impact on agriculture, he said high fuel prices significantly increase cotton production costs, while rice farmers currently engaged in sowing urgently need cheaper fuel and lower input costs to help achieve the government’s production target of 9.17 million metric tons.The PTI Farmers Wing spokesperson also called for the immediate restoration of the withdrawn fuel subsidy, saying it would reduce production costs, support timely sowing, and provide much needed relief to the farming community.He further observed that despite the recent reduction in petroleum prices, the prices of essential commodities and public transport fares have remained largely unchanged. He urged the government to ensure strict enforcement of price reductions so that the benefits of lower fuel prices are reflected in the cost of daily necessities and transportation for the general public.
