TAXILA: PML-N leader Sheikh Aftab Ahmed said PTI leaders will not be in a position to face the public in the next polls due to highest ever prices of daily commodities, especially food items and utilities.

Addressing party workers in Hassanabdal on Monday, he said inflation in the country was high because the prices of oil, electricity and gas had increased. He was of the view that ever since the government presented the budget, inflation rate had shot through the roof and the prices of virtually everything had increased manifold.

Increase in the prices of sugar, flour and ghee shows that the government is completely blind to rising poverty in the country and the plight of the poor, he said, adding inflation in the country had already peaked at 20pc, according to the sensitive price index (SPI).

If the situation worsens, the impoverished will be unable to survive and by imposing heavy taxes in the budget, the government has burdened those receiving low salaries, he said, adding during three years of the PTI government, the income of those working in the private sector has not increased. Whilst comparing the incumbent government’s tenure with his party’s tenure, he said the PML-N laid out motorways all over Pakistan and brought China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to the country.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2021