Pakistan's Eid Crisis: Fuel Hike Ignites Soaring Prices, Government Imposes Austerity

• Pakistan faces severe inflation as petrol and diesel prices surged by ~55 rupees per liter on March 7, impacting daily essentials.
• Prices of sweets, fruits, pulses, vegetables, and consumer goods have skyrocketed, troubling common consumers ahead of Eid.
• Shopkeepers attribute price hikes to increased transportation costs, while the Iran war is blamed for rising fuel prices.
• Government implements drastic austerity measures: ministers forgo salaries, MPs' salaries cut by 50%, reduced government vehicle use.
• Schools and colleges have been closed, and 50% of government and private employees are mandated to work from home to save fuel.