The citizens in Karachi fear that the fresh surge in the prices of petroleum products would severely affect their lives because it would cause a hike in prices of essential commodities.

“As a result of increased oil prices, the dearness has multiplied manifold,” Syed Mehmood, an owner of a cafÈ, said, adding that a 50-kilogramme bag of sugar sold at Rs1,100, now cost Rs1,200, while the price of a one-kg tea pack shot up from Rs180 to Rs260. Likewise, cooking oil price has increased from Rs1,300 to Rs1,950 per 16 Kilogrammes.

Muhammad Mubashir, a vegetable seller, held the previous Government responsible for these crises and opined that those who triggered them should be tried in public courts, punished and their properties confiscated.

Ilyas Jabbar, the proprietor of a bread shop, said that the writ of the government did not exist. He held the previous rulers, who made tall claims of strengthening the economy but increased burden on the poor citizens, solely responsible.

He said that the government should provide petroleum products at cheaper rates in Karachi, being a port city where no expenditures occur on transportation of petroleum. He was disappointed with the present government and said it had raised the slogans of ‘Roti, Kapra, Makaan,’ but on the contrary was depriving the people of essentials of daily living.

Muhammad Ahmed, an employee at a petrol pump, also aired disappointment, and said he was hit really hard by these frequent price hikes. “I earn only Rs.3650 per month,” he said and questioned how one could make two ends meet within this salary.

Muhammad Nadeem, a rickshaw driver said that his customers misbehaved with him arguing on fares, but he was compelled to charge enhanced fares. Imran Rao, a media man said that the frequent hike in prices would turn the middle class into poor citizens. He said that he earned Rs 28000 per month and used to save some money but now he had to Borrow from some one to survive.

He felt that all previous and present governments failed to find a solution to this problem. He noted that these prices had been rising for last 15 year, but governments failed to avoid imposition of the burden on poor.

Dr Ejaz Sharif Khan said that not a single government after The creation of Pakistan was sincere to resolve the problems of commonfolk. Being in BPS-18 in a government hospital and earning Rs30,000 per month, he does not know where his salary goes, as the daily use commodities` rates and utility bills had skyrocketed.