KHAR, Oct 1: People from different walks of life in Bajaur Agency, including elders, politicians, traders and transporters, on Tuesday flayed the government for increasing the fuel and power prices and said increase would further stress out the inflation-hit poor people.

Former Senator and All Bajaur Political Parties’ Alliance President Maulana Abdur Rasheed told reporters here that the fresh increase in petroleum prices by the federal government was a matter of serious concern for the people as it would create further socioeconomic problems for them.

He said the recent increase in fuel prices was unjustified as their prices in the international market had gone down.

Mr Rasheed said the government had greatly disappointed the people by increasing petroleum prices as they expected relief in view of the reducing international petroleum prices.

Former Pakistan People’s Party MNA Syed Akhunzada Chattan said the PML-N government didn’t care for the people as it had increased fuel and power prices manifolds.

He said the people had expected relief but the government was making life worse for them.

The former MNA said the government had done nothing for the people’s welfare since its formation and its claims about giving relief to the people had turned out to be false.

All Bajaur Traders Association President Mohammad Saleem also flayed the increase in petroleum and power prices and said it would put extra burden on the people already suffering from high inflation and poor law and order situation.

“The increase is really a condemnable act,” he said.

Local PML-N Information Secretary Dr Mohammad Gull Picahwal also flayed increase in prices of petrol and diesel and said the decision to increase fuel rates was against public interest.

He said he rejected the decision, which was against public interest and would add to the misery of the common man, who was already struggling to make ends meet.

Dr Picahwal urged the government to realise the people’s socioeconomic woes and immediately withdraw the fresh increase in petroleum products.

He said the decision to increase fuel prices had disappointed tribesmen, who had expected relief in tariff.

The PML-N leader warned that local workers would quit the party in large numbers if petroleum prices weren’t withdrawn immediately.