ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah has alleged that the government has collected Rs100 billion from the public in just one year by increasing taxes on petroleum products.

Speaking to reporters at his Parliament House chamber here on Thursday, Mr Shah said the government was wrongly taking credit of not increasing oil prices in five months, saying that the rulers had increased taxes when the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority recommended decrease in the prices.

The opposition leader said that acting like a “businessman”, the government had increased the tax on petroleum products from 17 to 20 per cent. “Instead of providing relief to the masses, the government has put burden of taxes on their shoulders,” he said, terming it a “fraud” with the nation.

He also alleged that for the first time in the country’s history, the rulers had obtained such big loans in just one year.

Responding to a question, he said if the government opposed the opposition’s bill on the Panama commission, then the joint opposition would devise a common strategy and force the rulers to present themselves for accountability.

In reply to another question, he said the opposition could think of launching a protest movement against the government.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2016