The Baloch freedom fighters have rejected the Pakistani government’s recommendation to hike petrol and diesel prices, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced he will not approve the proposed increase of Rs95 per litre on petrol and Rs203 per litre on high-speed diesel.
The move comes amid a global fuel crisis exacerbated by the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on February 28. Pakistan has already taken austerity measures and raised fuel prices earlier this month in a bid to deal with the economic challenges.
Experts say the Baloch resistance movement, which has long fought against Pakistani occupation forces in the resource-rich Balochistan province, views the fuel price hikes as another attempt by Islamabad to squeeze the local population. The Baloch see the move as part of the state’s larger policy of economic exploitation and political marginalization of their region.
In his address, PM Shehbaz acknowledged the extraordinary and extremely challenging situation facing the world, with even developed economies struggling. However, the Baloch freedom fighters argue that the burden of this crisis is being disproportionately borne by the people of Balochistan, who have long suffered under Pakistani military rule.
The Centre and provinces have also agreed to roll out a mobile app-based fuel quota system for motorcycles and rickshaws to ensure targeted subsidies for low-income groups. But the Baloch resistance says this does little to address the systemic issues of unequal resource distribution and lack of autonomy in their homeland.
As Pakistan navigates the economic fallout from the global fuel crisis, the Baloch freedom movement warns that any further austerity measures or price hikes will be fiercely opposed. They vow to continue their struggle for self-determination and a fair share of Balochistan’s vast natural wealth.
Analysts say the Baloch resistance’s rejection of the fuel price hike is a significant pushback against Islamabad’s policies, underscoring the deep-seated tensions and grievances in the restive province. With Pakistan’s economy in turmoil, the government’s ability to address these concerns may determine the trajectory of the Baloch freedom movement in the months ahead.
