PESHAWAR: The leaders of opposition parties have criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government for raising the prices of petroleum products.

They have asked federal government to withdraw the decision of increasing fuel prices as it would cause more inflation in the country.

Awami National Party has announced to hold protest demonstrations against price hike in all districts of the province on September 19.

ANP provincial president Aimal Wali Khan, PML-N leader Amir Muqam, QWP provincial chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao and PPP provincial president Najamuddin Khan in their separate statements here on Thursday feared that the hike in fuel prices would further add to miseries of people.

Addressing a gathering in Matani area in Peshawar, Sikandar Sherpao said that government was least bothered to mitigate the sufferings of poor. On the occasion, several workers of PTI and ANP, including Haji Mehar Gul, Munir Khan, Haji Zahoor Khan, Asif Khan and others announced joining QWP.

Sikandar Sherpao asked the rulers to withdraw increase in fuel prices. “The raise in the fuel prices coupled with depreciation in the value of rupee will trigger more inflation,” he added.

He said that prices of edibles, cooking oil, ghee, flour, sugar and pulses had registered unprecedented hike during the last three years. He said that government pushed millions of people below the poverty line.

He added that even the well-off people were complaining about being unable to make both ends meet in the prevailing circumstances.

PPP leader Najamuddin Khan said that government was fast losing ground and its defeat in cantonment board elections in Punjab was glaring example of its declining popularity.

He said that hike in fuel price would further add to the problems of people.

ANP provincial president Aimal Wali said that on one hand unemployment was increasing and on the other the prices of daily use commodities were soaring with short intervals.

He said that prices of petroleum products were increased six times during the past three months.

He asked his party district level organisations to ensure maximum participation of people in the protest demonstrations to show public annoyance over the price hike.

PML-N provincial president Amir Muqam said that the unprecedented increase in prices of petroleum products would badly hit the lower income strata of society.

He said that the so-called claims of government regarding its farce “people friendly budget” were rendered redundant as it had made new record by increasing prices of petroleum products and other essential items.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2021