ISLAMABAD: Senators on Monday decried the latest hike in petroleum prices and costly energy, accusing the government of “economic oppression” and calling for an exit from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

PTI’s parliamentary leader in the Senate, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, termed the fresh hike in petroleum prices a “petrol bomb” and “economic oppression” against the public, regretting the Rs117.5 per litre levy.

Speaking on the floor of the Upper House, Zafar rejected the government’s claim that international oil prices forced the increase, arguing that global crude prices had instead declined. “Instead of reducing prices, the government has sharply increased petroleum levies on the public,” he said.

He said the government was collecting “more than Rs117.5 per litre in petroleum levy, far exceeding the IMF-agreed limit of Rs80,” terming the policy “daylight robbery” aimed at covering up “economic incompetence”.

Referring to the French Revolution, Zafar said when the poor had no bread, Queen Marie Antoinette was attributed as saying, “Then let them eat cake,” a remark symbolising a ruling elite disconnected from the common man’s suffering.

Drawing a parallel, he criticised the Punjab government for purchasing a luxury aircraft amid inflation, unemployment and rising fuel prices.

“The move reflected the same mindset of rulers living in comfort while the people drowned in hardship,” he lamented.

Zafar said crude oil in Dubai had fallen from $170 per barrel to around $95. Despite this, he noted, petrol was about Rs278 per litre in Delhi and Rs310 in Dhaka, meaning “Pakistanis were paying Rs100 to Rs140 more per litre”.

He warned that the hike would trigger another wave of inflation in agriculture, transport and food. He said electricity tariffs had risen 53 per cent and flour prices 51pc, leaving citizens unable to cope.

Zafar said the government was celebrating IMF instalments, but this meant “the country would soon be burdened with an additional Rs1.5 trillion in debt”.

He claimed Rs37tr had been borrowed in four years “without any meaningful industrial or economic development”.

He said the SBP governor had “admitted” the government purchased $27bn from the open market since 2023 to “artificially support the rupee” rather than strengthen the real economy. He accused the government of misleading Parliament after previously denying such purchases.

He also cited the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) finding that “powerful oil marketing companies had been illegally obtaining subsidies,” saying the government was protecting vested interests while burdening citizens.

Zafar also demanded immediate withdrawal of the fuel hike, an end to “cruel taxation,” and transparency in the pricing mechanism.

He said Pakistan’s debt rose from Rs44tr to Rs81tr in four years, with Rs7.5tr spent on buying dollars to support the rupee.

“The people of Pakistan could no longer bear weekly mini-budgets, endless inflation, mounting debt, and economic deception,” he said.

Muttahuda Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) Senator Aamir Waliuddin Chishti warned that Pakistan had the “most expensive energy” and “lowest exports” in the region, saying the country would not escape “the IMF’s clutches” without urgent tax cuts to spur trade.

“Today, the most expensive energy in the region is in Pakistan. Pakistan has the lowest exports in the region,” he said.

“If the situation remains the same, we will not be able to get out of the IMF’s clutches,” he added.

The senator argued that trade growth was tied directly to tax policy.

“Increase in trade is only possible through reduction in taxes,” he said. “Reduction in taxes will increase economic activity.”

“We all have to find a solution to inflation together,” Chishti stated.

Meanwhile, JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza raised concern over Senator Abdul Shakoor being placed on the Fourth Schedule, saying the lawmaker had to report to a police station for attendance even as party members faced targeted killings.

“Senator Abdul Shakoor has been placed on Schedule IV. Senator Abdul Shakoor has to go to the police station to mark attendance,” he said.

Schedule IV of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, lists individuals suspected of terrorism or sectarianism. Those listed face restrictions on movement, arms licenses, and bank accounts, and must report to police regularly.

“Our people are targeted and killed, they are martyred,” he added, referring to recent attacks on JUI-F members. The Senate chairperson summoned a report on the matter.

Blue passports for senators’ children

Meanwhile, a bill seeking to extend eligibility for blue (official) passports to the children of senators until the age of 28 triggered debate over existing passport regulations and privileges for public office holders.

Senator Abdul Qadir tabled an amendment to the Passport Act 1974, arguing that senior bureaucrats, including Grade-22 officers, are already entitled to official (blue) passports for their dependents under certain conditions. The proposed legislation aims to extend similar facilitation to lawmakers’ families.

However, the bill faced immediate resistance from the Ministry of Interior.

State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry opposed the proposal, saying that existing passport rules are clear and do not allow the issuance of blue passports to children of parliamentarians.

“The passport regulations are well-defined, and children are not eligible for official passports under current law,” said Chaudhry.

Following the discussion, the Senate Chairman referred the bill to the relevant committee for further deliberation and detailed review.

The blue passport is typically issued to government officials travelling on official duty, along with eligible dependents, under strict regulations.