Islamabad(National Times)- Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Friday said that the prices of petroleum products had increased due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, adding that the government “has nothing to do with it”.

His remarks come a day after an unprecedented increase of 43 per cent and 55pc in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), respectively, to cushion the impact of global oil price shocks amid the US-Israel war on Iran. The decision was heavily criticised by the government’s opponents.

In a televised address, Sanaullah said that there was no example of such an increase in global petroleum prices in the past.

“This rise is also hitting Pakistan, that’s why we increased petrol and diesel prices yesterday,” he said. He said that before announcing the hike in prices, the government undertook major austerity measures.

“The government spent Rs129 billion and didn’t allow the burden to pass on to the public for the past three weeks,” he said. However, this could not go on forever, he said.

The PM’s adviser said that yesterday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held detailed consultations with the country’s political leadership and decided to provide a targeted subsidy, instead of a blanket cover for all.

He said that the government decided to give a Rs100 subsidy on petrol for motorcyclists and a Rs1,500 subsidy per acre for farmers as the harvesting season was approaching.

Sanaullah said that the government also gave Rs70,000 and Rs80,000 subsidies for goods transporters as per their capacity. He said that the government was also giving a Rs100,000 subsidy to transporters.

“We did this so they won’t increase the fares, that’s how we are supporting the common man and the needy,” he stated.

“The prices rose due to the war in the Middle East. The government had nothing to do with it. Everybody knows who started the war,” he asserted.

He went on to say that some people were carrying out propaganda and inciting the public to protest against the government.

“Those people are not talking about the austerity measures taken by the government and the subsidies it announced; they are pushing their own political agenda,” Sanaullah said.

He said that there were countries where people were not able to get petrol and diesel.

“This is the result of the government’s efforts that petrol and diesel are available for the public,” he said.

Referring to the opposition, he said that they should come and appreciate the government’s initiatives and assist it in taking things forward.

“Come and give your suggestions and empower the government to play its role in stopping this war,” he said. He also called on the opposition to stop misleading people about the government.

“The government didn’t raise the prices; it tried to keep the prices low.”

Sanaullah declared that if someone wanted to protest, they should protest against Israel for waging the war on Iran.

“We need to strengthen our country and have to forego the political goals. If this war continues for the next three to four months, we may have to face an even worse situation,” he warned.

The PML-N leader called on the people to face this crisis like a resilient, brave and determined nation.

“Those misleading people for their personal and political gains should know that the government has nothing to do with this hike; we are making our best efforts to stop the war,” he said.

“There should be no division amongst us; we need unity to bring ourselves out of this turmoil.”

Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also said in a post on X that the hike in petrol and diesel prices was a consequence of the US-Israeli war on Iran and that it was “not just one country’s decision”.

“Oil-producing Muslim countries, or countries through which oil [shipments] pass to reach the rest of the world, are all facing the impacts of Israel’s genocidal frenzy against Muslims,” he said.

The defence minister highlighted that several countries were facing fuel shortages while ensuring that the supply was not disrupted in Pakistan had been a “big challenge”.

He said the government tackled this challenge successfully and ensured that there was no shortage. But, he added, “a balanced approach was necessary so that the country could be saved from a severe financial crisis. The price[s] have been increased due to severe fiscal pressures”.

Asif said the government was aware of people’s difficulties and the Centre and provinces had made deferred development and other spending to contribute to oil prices.

“As soon as the situation improves, people will be provided relief,” he assured.

PTI plans all-parties conference

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, PTI Chairman Gohar Khan said that petrol was a commodity that had “no alternative”. He said that an increase in its price had an effect on the poor and farmers.

He said that there was no doubt that the Middle East war had caused a global increase in prices. He said that the increase in prices of petroleum products in Pakistan had surpassed those in countries such as Vietnam and Nigeria.

He also said that the government had not taken Parliament into confidence regarding its efforts for peace amid the ongoing war.

He further said that the government was unable to control the hoarding and smuggling of petroleum products and was passing on the burden of the petroleum levy to the public.

In his remarks, he also said that the PTI would call an all-party conference over the price hike. He said that “like-minded” parties would attend.

PTI leader Taimur Saleem Jhagra, who was also present for the press conference, lashed out at the government for raising the prices of fuel, saying, “The petrol bomb was dropped earlier … [now the current price hike is] adding fuel to the fire”.

“The prime minister announces holding back the prices of fuel on his own, while he sends his ministers to announce an increase in the prices,” he said.

“The prime minister should have come and taken the nation into confidence on the price hike, but he cannot face people,” he said.

JI warns of nationwide protest movement

Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that if the government did not withdraw the hike, the party would launch a nationwide movement where even the chief ministers’ houses would be surrounded.

He issued these remarks while addressing the public committee’s convention in Lahore’s Mansoora and a large protest demonstration against petroleum prices on Multan Road, a statement issued by the party’s information secretary said.

According to the statement, “Rehman warned the government that if it does not withdraw the increase in petroleum prices, the party will launch a nationwide protest movement.

“He warned that chief ministers’ houses in all four provinces would be surrounded and a countrywide strike would be observed,” it said.

Rehman said that the government was collecting over Rs200 per litre in taxes on petrol, terming it an exploitative measure that was draining the public. He demanded an immediate reduction in the prices of petrol, diesel, and electricity.

Criticising the government, the JI chief said rulers were using global crises as an excuse to burden the masses, questioning why relief was not passed on when international oil prices had dropped significantly in the past. He also took aim at the lavish lifestyle of the ruling elite, extravagant spending on official vehicles, aircraft, and perks, while ordinary citizens struggled with inflation.