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.
