ISLAMABAD, Nov 2: The Punjab chief of Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, has demanded that conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package should be debated in parliament.

Addressing a news conference after a meeting with party workers from Attock and Chakwal on Sunday, the former chief minister said the government had not provided any relief to people suffering from inflation, food shortage and unemployment.

He warned that an 18 per cent tax on agricultural income proposed by the IMF would destroy national economy.

He said 91 per cent of the farmers owned up to 12 acres of land and levy of the tax would be disastrous for them. “We have decided to oppose such a cruel step in parliament and outside it,” he said.

He said his party had requisitioned a Senate session to discuss the IMF package.

He also said that the PML-Q would move to throw out all turncoats from the assemblies.

Defections harmed democracy and all parties should take tough stand against floor crossing, he said.

Chaudhry Pervaiz said that the recent increase in drone attacks on border areas and continuation of military operation in the tribal region were against the spirit of the recent resolution passed by both houses of parliament.