ISLAMABAD: Facing a petrol price hike, the second one in a week, many Pakistanis are turning to crisis-related jokes on social media, exemplifying the South Asian nation’s ability to use humor to cope with adversity.
Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said on Thursday petrol and diesel prices for consumers had been increased by 17% at pumps starting on Friday, up 30 Pakistani rupees each per litre. The new price for petrol will be 209.86 Pakistani rupees ($1.06) per litre and diesel 204.15 per litre, he said. Last week, the country raised prices by around 20%.
The decision is part of efforts by Pakistan to slash fuel subsidies in a bid to control the fiscal deficit and secure International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout money. It comes as the Consumer Price Index inflation rose to 13.8% in May, year-on-year, the highest in two-and-a-half years. The country's central bank said earlier this week it expected inflation to remain elevated in the wake of removing the fuel and power subsidies.
Twitter user Abdul Muqtadir Dahri made light of the situation by sharing a meme showing petrol lording over other items like almonds, pine nuts and of course, "my dreams," that were previously deemed more expensive than fuel.
Twitter account “Shahbaz Gill Fans” shared a picture of a group of men on their way to bury a motorcycle.
User Tehseen Qasim shared an iconic scene from the famous American TV series ‘The Office’.
Twitter handle @aaeevvrr shared a photo of a lock on a car’s fuel tank with the caption: “Taking no chances.”
And of course, the cricket references were to be expected. Taking a dig at the government, journalist Ihtisham Ul Haq said it had raised the price of petrol to rival Fakhar Zaman’s highest unbeaten ODI score of 210 runs.
Twitter user Hania Tariq shared a meme of an overturned car at a gas station, pointing out that even cars were rebelling.
And one Twitter user outlined the best way to get a girl after the petrol price hike:
