Karachi: The Pasban Democratic Party has called on the government to pass on the benefits of reduced global crude oil prices to the public. Rafiq Khaskheli, Vice Chairman of the party, emphasized the need for a proportionate reduction in local petroleum prices, aligning with the global decrease.

Khaskheli criticized the current taxation structure, calling for a review to alleviate the financial burden on citizens. He highlighted the disparity between the opulence of political elites, who spend significant sums on elections, and the hardships faced by ordinary citizens grappling with inflation.

He further described the ongoing high profits on petroleum products as unlawful profiteering, attributing the lack of public relief to systemic corruption. He dismissed reports of economic prosperity as misleading, citing the hardships faced by citizens during Ramadan and Eid due to inflation.

Recent decreases in global crude oil prices, notably a 6.20 percent drop in West Texas Intermediate (WTI) to $62.80 per barrel and a 5.77 percent decrease in Brent to $66.09, have been attributed to U.S. tariffs and increased production by OPEC. However, Khaskheli argues that these reductions have not translated into local relief.

He highlighted that the current domestic petrol price stands at 254.63 per liter, with consumers paying 255 rupees per liter. The discrepancy is allegedly pocketed by petrol pump owners, adding to the financial strain on the public.

Khaskheli urged the government to reduce petroleum prices immediately, as these costs directly influence the prices of essential goods, impacting the monthly budgets of ordinary citizens. He called for transparency in government reports, which often paint an overly optimistic picture of the economic situation.

The Pasban Democratic Party’s appeal reflects growing public frustration over the disconnect between global oil market trends and local consumer prices, advocating for measures that could bring tangible relief to the population.