Punjab lawmaker submits resolution against fuel price hike

LAHORE: A woman lawmaker from the opposition PML-N on Saturday submitted a resolution to the Punjab Assembly secretariat against the increase in prices of petroleum products

Salma Saadia Taimoor called for the resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan over the price hike at a time when the nation was passing facing a crucial phase of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She stated that there were contradictions in the prime minister’s statements and actions. She said PM Khan had declared that no new tax had been imposed in the budget for 2020-21 but after a few days after its presentation petroleum prices had been increased.

Talking to The Express Tribune, the MPA said the people were facing the Covid-19 and the businesses had already been ruined by the PTI-led government’s flawed policies. The increase in the fuel prices would add to the miseries of the poor people, she added. She said the government had no policy to tackle any crisis.

The opposition parties on Saturday heaped scorn on the government for announcing a record hike of nearly 26% in the prices of all petroleum products two days ago while the latter tried to justify its move.

They also accused the government of caving into the pressure of the mafia responsible for the fuel crisis in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2020.