KARACHI: Soaring petrol prices triggered by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran have pushed Pakistan’s food delivery riders to the brink, forcing many to skip meals and rely on charity to survive during Ramadan after their earnings were wiped out by record fuel costs.
Pakistan raised petrol prices by 55 rupees to over 320 rupees per liter last week, passing on surging global oil prices to consumers as tensions threaten supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
For the thousands of motorcyclists powering the country’s delivery economy, the hike has shattered a fragile existence.
“Things were going fine earlier, but since petrol prices increased, we’re facing a lot of difficulties,” said rider Mohammad Murtaza Ali. “Earlier, we’d spend around 500 rupees on petrol, now it’s 800 rupees. We’re struggling to cover household expenses.”
Fellow rider Mohammad Mazhar said the same liter of fuel now yields half the deliveries.
“Earlier we’d deliver 12 to 13 orders on one liter, now it’s barely 7 to 8,” he told Reuters. “Our delivery radius has also increased. We’re really struggling.”
The government has said it has sufficient reserves but is planning to stretch them given the uncertainty. It has announced weekly price reviews and measures, including work-from-home policies and distance learning, to conserve fuel.
For Hizbullah, the crisis has stripped away even basic dignities.
“We couldn’t buy clothes or shoes for Eid. We’re unable to pay bills or send money home,” the rider said. “We’re relying on free iftar meals to get by. Life is really tough right now.”
