KARACHI, Jan 15: The Jamaat-i-Islami slamming the government over unprecedented price-hike in the past seven years said rather than solving the problems being faced by the masses the rulers were holding mix-marathon races to divert public attention from real issues.

Speaking at a press conference, JI leaders – Prof Ghafoor Ahmad, Dr Mairajul Huda, and others – said that if the government did not take steps to bring down prices, a countrywide protest movement would be launched from Sukkur on January 18.

They also criticised the government for not lowering prices of fuel oil and said that while the prices per barrel had come down from $78 to $53 in the international markets.

Giving a comparison of prices in January 1999 and January 2007 they said that prices of diesel had increased from Rs10.65 to Rs38.81 (increase of over 264 per cent), while goat meat has risen from Rs110 to Rs260 (increase of 136 per cent).

Cow meat from Rs60 to Rs140; Sugar from Rs16 to Rs37; wheat flour from Rs80 per 10 kilo to Rs170; Petrol from Rs26 to Rs57; Daal Maash from Rs30 to Rs66; Chana from Rs26 to Rs55; Baisan from Rs25 to Rs50.

Tea from Rs180 to Rs350; cement per 50 kilo from Rs180 to Rs330; Daal Moong from Rs32 to Rs55; milk powder from Rs140 to Rs260; milk from Rs18 to Rs34; basmati rice from Rs28 to Rs43; ghee from Rs54 to Rs88.