PPP protests hike in petroleum prices

Term increase unjust, demand govt to withdraw decision

MULTAN: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) South Punjab organised a protest demonstration against hike in petrol prices outside Multan Press Club on Monday.  The protest call was given by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. A large number of women were also present in the protest.

The demonstration was led by Khawaja Rizwan Alam and others. The participants were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government. They shouted slogans against the government for increasing the price of petroleum products.



While speaking to the protesters, Dr Javed Siddiqui said that the government had revised prices of petroleum products, increasing the price of petrol by Rs2.49 per litre while high-speed diesel price was increased by Rs5.19 per litre.

He added, “The price of light speed diesel has been increased by Rs3 per litre which has directly hit the farmers, who run their tubewells and tractors on high speed diesel.” He said that directives had been sent to all party leaders in the province to gather outside the press clubs and protest against the hike that would directly affect the common man in the country.

Khawaja Rizwan Alam said, “Contrary to its promises, the federal government has failed to provide low tariff electricity and fuel to the consumers in the country.” He maintained that despite low fuel prices globally, the rulers were bent upon increasing the prices to hit the masses economically.

He said the way PML-N had ruled the country in the last four years had exposed its level of governance and the promises made to provide relief to the public which were yet to be materialised.

Nafees Ansari Advocate said that these were the economic policies of the PML-N government that had overburdened the masses and had further suppressed the poor people.

“PPP have always raised voice for the suppressed segments of society and it will not back off until the PML-N government decides to withdraw increase in the petroleum prices,” he pointed out.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2017.