Beyond fuel, other operating costs are also rising. Stall owners report higher electricity and gas bills, adding to the financial strain and further squeezing margins.
The economic pressure extends beyond vendors to informal workers who rely on daily wages.
Many say they have been forced to cut back sharply on spending during Ramadan, a time usually marked by increased household consumption ahead of the Eid al-Fitr festival.
Yasir Iqbal, an informal worker, said he has had to abandon his motorcycle due to high fuel costs.
“Now, I ride a bicycle from Rawalpindi to Islamabad for work. Petrol has become very expensive. The authorities should do something about it,” he said. “Should I buy food or clothes (for Eid)? What should I tell (my family)?”
INFLATION RISKS
Economists warn that the situation could deteriorate further if global energy prices remain elevated. Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported fuel, is particularly vulnerable to external shocks.
Khaqan Hassan Najeeb, a former adviser to Pakistan’s finance ministry, expects inflationary pressures to intensify in the coming months.
“The month of March will see a higher inflation for sure because the base effect is eroding. Transport and food will show heightened inflation,” he said.
Authorities say they are working to cushion the impact on households. Federal and provincial governments are coordinating efforts to ensure that retailers adhere to official price caps, while subsidised Ramadan markets continue operating nationwide.
However, analysts caution that these measures may offer only temporary relief, as sustaining subsidies and enforcing price controls will be challenging, especially if global energy prices continue to climb.
For now, despite government efforts, the rising cost of living is leaving many Pakistanis feeling the strain, turning what is usually a time of reflection and community into a period of financial anxiety.
