THE rising fuel prices have once again placed low-income households, motor-cyclists, small-scale transporters and daily-wage earners under pressure. The government’s targeted relief may provide temporary breathing space, but a larger question remains: how long can vulnerable segments depend on relief whenever fuel prices rise?

Every petroleum price hike increases the burden on ordinary citizens. A meagre relief may not ease the burden on vulner-

able families for long. For many, such assistance can become a drop in the ocean when transport, food and other household costs rise simultaneously. Instead of increasing petroleum prices and subse-quently providing limited relief, would it not be possible to reduce the petroleum price itself?

Relief is necessary during exceptional shocks, but it cannot become a permanent solution. Long-term protection requires affordable transport, stronger social protection, energy efficiency and measures that increase household incomes. Otherwise, every fuel-price shock will bring another relief package, but the underlying vulnerability will remain unaddressed.

Shahnawaz Khoso
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2026