KARACHI: A traffic police officer in Karachi has become the center of attention after a video showing him riding a bicycle to work went viral on social media following the latest petrol price hike in Pakistan.
According to the viral video, the traffic head constable, identified as Imtiaz, was seen cycling to his duty point because he could no longer afford the increasing fuel costs. The officer said that the recent rise in petrol prices had made it difficult for him to continue using his motorcycle for daily travel.
The clip quickly spread across social media platforms, where many people expressed sympathy for the officer and highlighted the financial pressure being faced by ordinary citizens as well as government employees. The video has also sparked debate about the impact of rising fuel prices on lower and middle-income families across the country.
The officer explained that using a bicycle was the only practical option left for him to reduce daily expenses. He said the cost of petrol had become too high, making it impossible to continue commuting in the same way as before.
The issue is not limited to traffic police alone. An SSU commando in Karachi also raised concerns over the increasing petrol prices and poor road conditions. He said that performing official duties had become more difficult due to the extra financial burden. The commando appealed to the government to provide relief to both law enforcement personnel and the general public.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced that the government’s petrol subsidy scheme will only apply to vehicles registered with the Excise Department.
She said the relief package, introduced under the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aims to support deserving citizens through a transparent digital transfer system. Only properly registered vehicles will qualify for the subsidy, while unregistered vehicles will be excluded.
