MQM-P in bid to change opposition leader in Sindh Assembly. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The Sindh Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution calling upon the federal government to reduce petroleum prices and abolish the petroleum levy, amid growing concern over the burden of fuel costs on consumers.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed lawmaker Mohammad Owais moved the resolution, which received support from the provincial government and opposition members.
Speaking during the assembly debate, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said, “We fully support this resolution and demand that the federal government abolish the petroleum levy.”
Memon said the rising prices of petroleum products had created serious difficulties for the public. He said the federal government was collecting more than Rs100 per litre in petroleum levy and urged it to withdraw the levy to provide relief to consumers.
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The minister also criticised the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), a coalition partner of the federal government, for what he described as silence over the rising cost of petroleum products.
“MQM-P is enjoying the perks of being in the government but refuses to speak to their coalition partner on the rising cost of petroleum products,” he lamented, urging the party’s federal representatives to raise the issue with the government.
“MQM-P should not ignore the people’s problems in the pursuit of power.”
سینئر صوبائی وزیر شرجیل انعام میمن نے سندھ اسمبلی میں خطاب کرتے ہوئے کہا ہے کہ وفاقی حکومت موجودہ حالات میں عوام پر مزید مہنگائی کا بوجھ نہ ڈالے۔ آج ہر چیز مہنگی ہو رہی ہے، پٹرولیم مصنوعات کی مہنگائی کے اثرات ہر شعبے پر پڑ رہے ہیں۔
انہوں نے کہا کہ موجودہ حالات میں پٹرولیم لیوی… pic.twitter.com/Gjdosmtv6w
— Sindh Information Department (@sindhinfodepart) September 15, 2026
He asked the opposition party to clarify its stance on rising fuel costs.
Referring to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s political stance on petroleum prices, Memon said the PPP had once withdrawn from a government over a nominal increase in petrol prices.
“In 1988, PPP left the coalition when the government increased petrol prices by Re1,” he said, adding, “Today, the increase has reached up to Rs150.”
He stressed that all political parties, including MQM-P, should raise their voice against high petroleum prices because the issue directly affects the public.
He asked the federal government to “come to its senses” and take measures to reduce the burden of fuel prices on the people.
