ISLAMABAD, March 3: The Pakistan People’s Party has strongly denounced statements emanating from the caretaker set-up claiming PPP’s approval in recent political appointments and in the hike in oil prices.

As the caretaker regime packs its bags to make way for the newly elected government to be led by the Pakistan People’s Party, it is most astonishing that decisions that were earlier delayed fearing public resentment are now being taken without consulting the political parties that have obtained a clear mandate from the people through a general election, the PPP said.

The petroleum prices were hiked last week with no consultation while several appointments were made in different ministries and national organisations. The caretaker prime minister awarded himself unprecedented perks for the office of Senate chairman, PIA got its new chief while Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi was appointed governor of Balochistan in clear violation of the law of the land that forbids the caretaker government from taking any such measures.

“These are all unmandated decisions, and we strongly denounce them,” said Sherry Rehman, Central Information Secretary of Pakistan People’s Party. She strongly emphasised that her Party was “never, ever” consulted for any of the decisions made by the caretaker regime.

Ms Rehman said that the caretaker government had no business making political appointments or providing extensions or granting itself privileges on tax-payer money when the entire government is running on deficit financing.

“This caretaker regime has shown an unprecedented tendency to violate all important rules and regulations. It actively worked alongside the Q-League to ensure its victory in the polls. However, the public’s rejection of the Q-League-backed political order turned out to be a clear vote against its anti-people policies.

“Let me make it very clear that not only was the PPP not consulted for any of these important national decisions, we also have very serious reservations in principle about appointments, extensions and perquisites granted to itself by this government, especially when non-development expenditure cuts are needed to give relief to the poor. We would review all such decisions once we form the government.”