Govt defends fuel hike: at least it’s not 70%

Pakistan’s fuel price increases remain significantly lower than those seen globally despite a massive rise in petroleum product (POL) rates, the government on Monday said, as international markets witness sharp spikes in energy costs. In a post on social media platform X, Advisor to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad noted that fuel prices have risen sharply across both developed and emerging economies in recent weeks. “Diesel and petrol price increases globally are significantly higher, with several countries witnessing increases of 27–71% versus Pakistan’s 22-24%,” said the official.