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04 Apr, 2026

With fuel prices at one of their highest levels in history and a major conflict in the Middle East making it improbable for them to go down in the near future, Sajal Ali wants everyone to take a second and think about the people most impacted by the price hike: delivery riders and cab drivers.

The actor posted a story on Instagram calling attention to the people who “spend their entire day on the road”.

“With petrol prices rising, it’s getting even harder for them,” she wrote, urging people to “tip them generously” in light of their increased hardships. That, she said, “is the least we can do”.

On Thursday, the government announced a massive hike in fuel prices, moving petrol from Rs321 to Rs458 per litre. The blowback was near instant, with Pakistan decrying the astronomical increase and lamenting how life had become increasingly unaffordable.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in an address on Friday night, announced some relief for the people, cutting petrol prices by Rs80. The price, however, remains at an unprecedented level.

Delivery riders and ride-share drivers are disproportionately hit by the hike, with some reporting almost half of their income evaporating ever since the US-Israel-Iran war started in February. Thursday’s hike, even with Friday’s relief measures, is sure to aggravate the situation drastically.

In the face of the crisis, Ali makes a good point about how kindness might just make lives a little easier for people under immense strain.

Comments

M. Saeed Apr 04, 2026 01:48pm
Good observation! But, the PM has given special concessions for all registered bike owners.
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Aisha Apr 04, 2026 04:14pm
Yeah u are right sajal ali i appreciate that tme is tuff helping the driver biker
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ruby faisal Apr 04, 2026 04:33pm
She is right but what she doesn't realize the people ordering food through riders are not going to order food anymore atleast not frequently because they have also been hit by this chaos created by our government.Except the elite earning millions through all kinds of nefarious nativities.The middle salaried class has been hit the most as their taxes have also been increased without any increase in their salaries.
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Umair Abbas Apr 04, 2026 06:33pm
Good
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Tariq khalil Apr 04, 2026 07:52pm
Deeds not words! That’s all Thank you
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umer khawaja Apr 04, 2026 11:15pm
What a shallow person she is....taking a pic infront of Golden Gate Bridge and talking about delivery drivers. She is bogus and insecure. immature as well
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Asif Hussain Apr 04, 2026 11:20pm
@ Aisha,You may be right,But I would comment that with the exception of Pakistan's elite population the time is tuff for the majority lower and middle class families
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Jkmanjum Apr 05, 2026 12:02am
Very good thinking by SA
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Riaz Shahid Apr 05, 2026 12:19am
No doubt, it's really great act of kindness but at the same time Cab services provider companies like Indrive and Yango, they have raised their fares already and drivers if Indrive they quote very high than the fare recommended by company. But food delivery boys and Courier delivery persons deserve more to be helped out through some extra money. It will be a great support for them in this difficult time.
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Zaheer Apr 05, 2026 02:22pm
What about lacs of those, who don't have source of income and are made to live below poverty line? Will they be able to fight inflation and pass unaffordable lives.
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Nafeesa Apr 05, 2026 03:04pm
Correct I do
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Shahid nawaz khan Nawaz Apr 05, 2026 05:36pm
Asalam o alykom ap jis trah ki soch rakti hy asy insan bohot km melty hy pata hy wo kesy.....Q k kisi insan k bary me khud se acha sochna ya faisla karna har koi nahi karsakta....sam log apna faida or dosry ka noksan sochty hy but khud se kisi k bary me acha kehna bohot km log asa katsakty hy
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Shehla Shehla parveen Apr 05, 2026 07:13pm
Yes its very tough job
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Shazia Afzal Apr 06, 2026 11:25am
I completely agree with Ms. Sajal. That is how a responsible member of the society should be thinking. I hope we act upon it too!
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ABE Apr 06, 2026 12:15pm
She reminds us about the plight of Pakistani delivery riders and taxi drivers, with a photo of herself vacationing in San Francisco, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. Yes, we think of poor Pakistani taxi drivers thousands of miles away on vacation in sunny California! Now that is special!
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