Pakistan’s Senate on Monday witnessed sharp criticism from opposition lawmakers over rising petroleum prices, inflation and mounting public debt, while the government attributed the economic pressure to global tensions and commitments under the IMF programme.

The Senate session, chaired by Yousaf Raza Gillani, also passed several bills related to thalassemia screening, corporate social responsibility, maternity benefits and education.

The upper house approved the Islamabad Capital Territory Mandatory Thalassemia Screening Bill 2026, Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2026, Pakistan Penal Code Amendment Bill 2026, Islamabad Maternity Benefits Amendment Bill and the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Amendment Bill.

The Senate also unanimously approved amendments to its rules under which Naat would now be recited after the recitation of the Holy Quran at the start of proceedings.

During the debate, Senator Ali Zafar criticised the government over the latest increase in petroleum prices, saying the administration had dropped another “petrol bomb” on the public.

He said inflation had reached alarming levels and accused the government of increasing fuel prices despite a decline in global oil prices. He also warned that the country’s debt burden had risen to dangerous levels.

Leader of the Opposition Senator Raja Nasir Abbas warned that continued inflation and poverty could create a dangerous situation in the country. He also criticised what he described as an ad hoc political system and demanded that the family of PTI founder Imran Khan be allowed to meet him.

Responding to the criticism, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said Pakistan had played a mediatory role for ceasefire efforts in the region, but tensions between Iran and the United States were affecting the global economy.

He said countries linked to the Strait of Hormuz were facing severe pressure due to the regional situation.

The minister said the government was not increasing petroleum prices willingly but was compelled to do so because of obligations under the IMF programme. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was deeply concerned about the impact of fuel price hikes on the public.

Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government was pursuing austerity and cost-cutting measures, while all medical facilities were being provided to PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife.

He also said counterterrorism operations along the Afghan border had reduced terrorist activities, though militants were now targeting soft targets, while security personnel continued to stand “like a wall of steel”.

The Senate session also offered Fateha for the victims of the Bannu tragedy, led by the federal minister, before the sitting was adjourned until 4.00 p.m. on Tuesday.