Pakistan Fuel Price Hike: Neighboring country Pakistan is currently going through its worst economic and energy crisis. New prices of petrol and diesel have come into effect in Pakistan from Friday, 3 April 2026, which has troubled the common man. The earthquake in the global oil market and the increasing tension between Iran-Israel-America have had a direct impact on the people of Pakistan. Finance Minister Ali Pervez Malik has announced that a steep increase in prices was inevitable due to international pressure.
Historic increase in oil prices
The new prices announced by the Government of Pakistan are not only shocking but it is a record for any developing country. Let us tell you, the price of petrol in Pakistan is now PKR 458.40 per liter with a huge increase of Rs 137 (42.7%), while diesel is now PKR 520 per liter with a huge increase of Rs 184 (54.9%).
While on one hand people are preparing to protest against this inflation on the streets of Pakistan, on the other hand a video message of former star cricketer Shahid Afridi has gone viral on social media. Afridi defended the government in this time of crisis and said, “Due to the war, the whole world is facing energy crisis, but Alhamdulillah Pakistan is still in a better condition than many countries. We should support our government at this time and follow their decisions so that the progress of the country does not stop.”
People’s anger erupted on social media
Afridi’s advice of ‘having patience’ has further angered the Pakistani people. On social media platform X and Facebook, people are calling him ‘shameless’ and ‘satta ka chamcha’.
One user wrote, “Afridi, who has assets worth crores, will not find Rs 458 petrol expensive, but should a poor daily wage laborer feed his children or get oil in his bike?” Many people say that celebrities like Afridi are cut off from ground reality and are flattering the government.
Due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, the supply chain of crude oil is badly affected. Pakistan, which is completely dependent on imports for its energy needs, is suffering the most in this situation.