ISLAMABAD: A joint meeting of the Executive Committee and Rules Committee of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) on Thursday strongly condemned the unprecedented daily increases in fuel prices, demanding that the government take measures to control the increases and provide relief to citizens.

The participants said the daily increases had aggravated inflation and made the cost of living unbearable for ordinary people, particularly those from the middle and lower-middle classes.

The joint meeting, presided over by PBC Vice Chairman Pir Muhammad Masood Chishti and PBC Executive Committee Chairman Munir Ahmed Malik, expressed concern in a resolution that the daily increases in fuel prices had caused widespread frustration and unrest among the public and adversely affected people’s purchasing power.

The meeting demanded that the government immediately withdraw unnecessary privileges, excessive packages, free fuel facilities, the unnecessary use of official vehicles and other undue expenditures being enjoyed by ministers, government officials and other privileged persons.

“The government must take concrete and immediate measures to control fuel price inflation and provide relief to ordinary citizens,” the resolution said.

The meeting emphasised that the proposal for a “smart lockdown” was not a solution to the prevailing economic crisis.

“Such measures, if imposed, would further burden ordinary citizens, daily-wage earners and businesses.” The PBC called upon the government to take practical steps aimed at facilitating and providing relief to citizens.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced a “relief scheme” for owners of motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles of up to 800cc.

Under the scheme, owners of two- and three-wheeled vehicles will receive a subsidy of Rs100 per litre on a monthly quota of 20 litres, while those owning vehicles of up to 800cc will receive the same subsidy on a monthly quota of 30 litres.