SWABI: The Qaumi Watan Party workers staged a demonstration here the other day to protest rising inflation and the government’s failure to check the increasing rates of commodities.

The agitation was led by the party’s provincial chairman Sikandar Hayat Sherpao.

The protesters gathered in the party’s district office and marched to the Karnal Sher Khan Chowk.

Speaking to the protesters, Sikandar Sherpao said the increasing prices of essential commodities had eroded the purchasing power of the common people. “The government has failed to control the price spiral despite hue and cry made by its leaders, including Prime Minister Imran Khan,” he said.

The people are finding it hard to make a two-time meal, he said, adding the situation had reached to a point where people were committing suicides.

Sikandar Sherpao said the best option for the PTI rulers was to step down and announce fresh elections in the country. About the Senate elections, he said the Pakistan Democratic Movement candidates would surprise the government.

The alliance partners are united and continuing their struggle from a joint platform, he maintained.

“We have not seen such a weak government in the country’s history as it is only making tall claims and doing nothing practical,” he argued.

In a separate development, two people were killed and three injured in different incidents on Monday, the police said. A tractor driver identified as Mukhtasir Khan fell from his vehicle when he applied brakes near the Swabi Interchange on the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway. He died on the spot.

A woman was killed and three other people were injured when a tractor-trolley collided with a rickshaw. The victim was identified as Bakhat Rara.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2021