Senate heats up as fuel hikes spark backlash
• Opposition slams high duties on fuels despite declining global oil prices, fears increase will trigger fresh wave of inflation
• Calls for IMF exit; warns the nation cannot survive current economic policies
• Senators debate granting ‘blue passport’ privileges to their own children
ISLAMABAD: Senators on Monday fiercely decried a recent fuel price hike and the high cost of energy, with opposition members accusing the government of “economic oppression” and demanding an exit from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.
In a heated session, senators from multiple parties condemned the government’s economic policies, which they argued have pushed citizens to the breaking point.
PTI’s parliamentary leader in the Senate, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, labelled the increase a “petrol bomb” against the public. He rejected the government’s assertion that international oil prices were to blame, arguing that global crude prices had actually declined.
“Instead of reducing prices, the government had sharply increased petroleum levies on the public,” Barrister Zafar said.
He accused the government of collecting “more than Rs117.5 per litre in petroleum levy, far exceeding the IMF-agreed limit of Rs80”, calling the policy “daylight robbery” designed to mask “economic incompetence”.
Referring to the French Revolution, Mr Zafar recalled the infamous remark, “Then let them eat cake”, attributed to Marie Antoinette, as a symbol of a ruling class detached from public suffering.
He drew a parallel to the Punjab government’s recent purchase of a luxury aircraft amid widespread inflation and unemployment.
“The move reflected the same mindset of rulers living in comfort while the people drowned in hardship,” he said.
Mr Zafar detailed how crude oil prices in Dubai fell from $170 to approximately $95 per barrel. Despite this, he said, petrol prices in neighbouring countries were lower, with Delhi at Rs278 per litre and Dhaka at Rs310. This meant “Pakistanis were paying Rs100 to Rs140 more per litre,” he stated.
He warned the hike would spark another wave of inflation, impacting agriculture, transportation, and food costs. Citing recent increases of 53 per cent in electricity tariffs and 51 per cent in flour prices, he said citizens were unable to cope.
Mr Zafar criticised the government for celebrating IMF instalments, which he claimed would soon burden the nation with “an additional Rs1.5 trillion in debt.” He alleged that Pakistan’s total debt soared from Rs44tr to Rs81tr in four years.
Furthermore, he accused the State Bank of Pakistan’s governor of admitting the government bought $27bn from the open market since 2023 to “artificially support the rupee” rather than bolstering the real economy.
On behalf of the PTI, Mr Zafar demanded an immediate withdrawal of the fuel price increase, an end to “cruel taxation,” and transparency in the pricing mechanism.
Echoing the economic concerns, Senator Aamir Waliuddin Chishti of the MQM-P warned that Pakistan had the “most
expensive energy” and the “lowest exports” in the region.
“Today the most expensive energy in the region is in Pakistan. Pakistan has the lowest exports in the region,” Mr Chishti said. “If the situation remains the same, we will not be able to get out of the IMF’s clutches.”
Mr Chishti argued that economic recovery was impossible without policy changes, stating, “An increase in trade is only possible through a reduction in taxes.”
Separately, JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza raised an alarm over Senator Abdul Shakoor being placed on Schedule Four of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The list is for individuals suspected of terrorism or sectarianism and imposes severe restrictions, including mandatory police check-ins.
“Senator Abdul Shakoor has been placed on Schedule Four. Senator Abdul Shakoor has to go to the police station to mark attendance,” Mr Murtaza said, adding that members of his party were concurrently facing targeted killings. The presiding officer sought a report on the matter.
Blue passports
The Senate also debated a bill seeking to grant official (blue) passports to the children of senators until age 28.
Senator Abdul Qadir, who tabled the amendment to the Passport Act 1974, argued it would provide lawmakers’ families with facilitation similar to that already available to dependents of senior bureaucrats.
However, the proposal met with immediate opposition. Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said existing regulations do not permit issuing official passports to the children of parliamentarians.
“The passport regulations are well-defined, and children are not eligible for official passports under current law,” Mr Chaudhry said.
The Senate chairman referred the bill to the relevant committee for further review.
Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2026