Ruptly
"Demonstrators took to the streets of Lahore on Friday to protest the Pakistani government’s fuel price hike, amid a deepening global energy crisis triggered by disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz. Footage shows protesters rallying with flags and banners reading, 'the significant increase in fuel prices is unacceptable.' "The government has used the international scenario to drop the petrol bomb on us. The price in international market did not rise as much as the rates increased," claimed Naseem Khan, a protester. "As everything is connected with petrol, everything will get expensive and the poor would have to live with that," he stressed. Pakistani Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik announced a hike in petrol and diesel prices, driven by a surge in global oil prices fueled by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Petrol prices have risen to 458.40 rupees per litre, while diesel now stands at 520.35 rupees per litre. The minister added that crude oil prices in the Dubai and Oman markets - where Pakistan sources around 80% of its energy imports - have surged to record highs. "To raise our voice, a protest was held in order to notify the government that they cannot raise the prices asked by IMF by shielding themselves behind the war in the Middle East," said another protester, Ahmad Shah. According to Pakistan's state news agency, a spokesperson for Pakistan Railways said on Friday that the company is "facing higher operating costs, [...] making a 30% rise in train ticket prices unavoidable." In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered authorities 'not to raise ticket prices for any class.' Following his directive, the government assumed an additional financial burden of 'six billion rupees' through June 30 to ease pressure on passengers and traders. Global energy prices have soared following shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway that carries about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas output. The disruptions come amid heightened tensions in the region after the United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran on February 28."
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