Pakistan's Human Rights Council (HRC) on Saturday, 10 May 2025, strongly condemned the latest increase in petroleum product prices, calling it a "direct assault" on the daily lives of millions of poor, working-class, and middle-class families. The condemnation follows the Pakistani government's decision to raise petrol prices by Pakistani Rs 14.92 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs 15 per litre, effective Saturday.

The Revised Fuel Rates

According to the Petroleum Division's official press release, the revised rates now stand at Pakistani Rs 414.78 per litre for petrol and Pakistani Rs 414.58 per litre for HSD. The new prices came into effect immediately upon announcement, leaving consumers with little time to adjust.

What the HRC Said

The rights body issued a sharp statement, warning that rising fuel costs trigger a broader cascade of price increases across essential goods. "When fuel becomes expensive, it's not just vehicles that come to a halt; the prices of flour, lentils, vegetables, milk, medicines, and other essentials also start touching the skies," the HRC of Pakistan stated.

The council specifically flagged the impact on the most vulnerable segments of society. "This decision is proving to be particularly devastating for rickshaw drivers, daily wage labourers, transport workers, students, and the white-collar class. The poor man is now not only under economic pressure but also grappling with severe mental stress, helplessness, and fear of the future," it added.

Key Demands from the Rights Body

The HRC of Pakistan called on authorities to immediately reverse the petroleum price hike and provide urgent relief to the public. It specifically demanded an end to arbitrary increases in transport fares and essential commodity prices, urging the government to reduce what it described as "unnecessary privileges enjoyed by the elite class." The council stressed that human rights extend beyond formal declarations: "They are the fundamental right of every citizen to live a dignified and secure life."

A Pattern of Repeated Hikes

This is not an isolated incident. Last month, following a similar fuel price increase, the HRC of Pakistan described the move as an "economic suicide attack" on the public, warning that the repeated surge in fuel prices amounts to "an invitation to the storm of inflation that has already broken the back of the common man." The recurrence of such hikes signals deepening economic strain in Pakistan, which has been navigating a prolonged cost-of-living crisis driven by inflation, unemployment, and currency pressures. With no immediate reversal in sight, advocacy groups and civil society organisations are expected to intensify pressure on Islamabad in the days ahead.