Hours after Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced a "massive" increase in the cost of petroleum products on Sunday morning, responses from various sources have echoed the concerns of the public, who struggle to recognise the price increase and worry about a new wave of inflation spreading across the nation.

Following the rupee's depreciation against the US dollar, the government has decided to raise the price of gasoline and diesel by 35 rupees a litre, each, starting at 11 a.m. today. Kerosene and light diesel oil prices have also increased by Rs 18 per litre.

The increase in price of petroleum products has been criticised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders as well as the government at the centre of the country.

"A corrupt and inept imported government has completely mismanaged our economy, crushing the masses and the salaried class with the most recent increase in gasoline and fuel prices and the Rs33/$ devaluation to Rs262.6/$. Elec & gas price increases as well as 35% inflation that is unheard of are anticipated with the Rs200bn mini budget, he added.

A PTI member and former deputy speaker of the National Assembly, Qasim Khan Suri, also decried the price increase while comparing the present costs to those from the PTI's previous administration.

He claimed that the current administration was installed through a bargain and that "the nation is paying a big price for [National Reconciliation Ordinance] NRO2."

Senior PTI member from Lahore Yasmin Rashid criticised the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for making the significant choice that has caused the populace to worry about their declining purchasing power.

The former health minister told reporters in Lahore's Zaman Town that Maryam Nawaz, the senior vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had urged the country to put its faith in Ishaq Dar to make things better. She did, however, mention an increase in gas prices.

"Today, the price of diesel and petrol increased by Rs35, and this would have an impact on everything," she stated.

The administration "is trying to take the revenge, genuinely meant for Imran Khan," according to the ex-minister.

Petroleum prices have increased following the rupee's historic low against the dollar due to the elimination of the unofficial dollar ceiling.

There was a lot of conjecture following the local currency's devaluation that the government would raise prices by more than Rs80.

People began racing to gas stations amid these rumours, despite warnings from the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to avoid disseminating false information.