Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has stated that the provincial government will not support any measures that place the burden of economic crises on the public, particularly through increases in petroleum prices.
Speaking about concerns regarding possible disruptions in fuel supply, Afridi said a meeting was held with the federal ministers for finance and petroleum to discuss the situation. During the meeting, the federal government briefed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government about the potential fuel supply challenges and the possible impact on petroleum prices in the coming weeks.
According to Afridi, the federal authorities highlighted the risks of supply disruptions caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. These geopolitical tensions have raised concerns about the stability of global energy markets and the availability of oil supplies.
However, the chief minister made it clear that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would not support decisions that negatively affect ordinary citizens. He emphasized that governments should not transfer the consequences of their own financial mismanagement onto the public.
Afridi criticized the practice of increasing fuel prices during times of crisis, saying that such measures place an additional financial burden on citizens who are already facing economic difficulties. He stated that simply raising petroleum prices to offset international pressures or supply disruptions cannot be considered a sustainable or fair solution.
The chief minister remarked that governments often engage in unnecessary and wasteful expenditures, but when financial pressure emerges, they attempt to compensate by shifting the burden to the public through higher prices and taxes. According to him, this approach is unjust and unacceptable.
Afridi also referred to the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, noting that while these conflicts may affect global energy markets, increasing petrol prices domestically should not be the primary response. He argued that such conflicts are international issues and their economic consequences should not be imposed directly on ordinary citizens.
He stressed that the responsibility of governments during crises is to protect the public rather than increase their financial hardship. Instead of passing the burden to the people, authorities should review their own spending priorities and reduce unnecessary expenditures.
The chief minister suggested that resources currently being spent on luxury expenses by governments could be redirected toward providing relief to the public. He said that during times of economic uncertainty or potential supply shortages, governments should prioritize subsidies and financial support for citizens rather than allowing prices to rise sharply.
Afridi emphasized that providing subsidies on essential commodities such as fuel can help stabilize the economy and protect vulnerable segments of society. Fuel prices directly influence transportation costs, food prices, and overall inflation. Therefore, any increase in petroleum prices can have a widespread impact on the daily lives of citizens.
He warned that raising petrol prices could trigger further inflation across multiple sectors of the economy. Transportation costs would increase, which in turn could raise the prices of goods and services. This chain reaction would ultimately place additional pressure on households already struggling with rising living expenses.
According to the chief minister, the government’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the welfare of its citizens, especially during difficult times. He reiterated that economic challenges should be addressed through better financial management and responsible governance rather than by increasing the financial burden on the public.
Afridi further stated that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will continue to advocate policies that prioritize public relief and economic stability. He added that any policy decisions taken at the federal level should carefully consider their impact on the people.
The chief minister concluded by saying that crises often test the priorities of governments. In his view, responsible leadership requires reducing unnecessary spending and using available resources to support citizens rather than transferring the consequences of economic pressures onto them.
He reaffirmed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government stands firmly with the public and will oppose measures that could increase financial hardship for ordinary people, especially in the form of higher fuel prices during times of global uncertainty.
