Lahore, June 20 -- Representatives of labour groups, rickshaw drivers and railway employees staged a protest against rising inflation and soaring utility costs, accusing the government of pushing working-class families into severe economic hardship.

Addressing the gathering, Rana Shamjad, President of the National Rickshaw Union, rejected recent increases in fuel prices and demanded that petrol rates be restored to pre-conflict and geopolitical tensions levels. He stated that transport workers are struggling to survive amid escalating costs of fuel and essential commodities.

Several protesters described the growing burden of daily expenses, claiming that a significant portion of their income was consumed by fuel, food and necessities. M...