GUJRANWALA, Feb 17: People from various professions on Monday condemned increase in petroleum products’ prices.

Fearing increase in prices of various other products, Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Khwaja Tahir Hassan and other office-bearers demanded the government that it should reduce taxes on raw material of petroleum products.

Kissan Bachao Tehrik District President Javed Manj said the increase in petrol and diesel would burden the farmers, who were already facing problems. He feared wheat and fodder crops would be the worst hit.

Gujranwala Transport Society Public Vehicles’ Association President Rana Muhammad Amjad and Secretary Aftab Ahmad also flayed the recent petrol price rise, saying it would compound their problems.

BOYCOTT CALL: District Nazim Babu Javed Ahmad on Monday appealed to the citizens to boycott Basant to be celebrated here on Thursday.

Speaking at a meeting, he called the event unIslamic and Hindu’s sport. He directed the Nazimeen and councillors to cooperate with the local administration and police to maintain law and order.

The Nazim said hundreds of thousands of rupees spent on the event could be given to the poor.

Meanwhile, the district government and police have finalized arrangements to guard against any untoward incident on Basant.