Bilawal, Shehbaz reject increase in POL prices

Opposition leaders of two mainstream parties on Friday rejected the recent increase in the petroleum products prices and demanded of the government to withdraw such measures.

In separate statements, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari criticised the government for “not providing relief” amid inflation.

“On one hand, the national currency is plummeting every day and, on the other, PM is butchering the people with inflation,” the PML-N president said was quoted as saying in a handout. He added that this increase in petroleum prices would lead to a price hike of all essential commodities.

Shehbaz, who is also the leader of opposition in NA, slammed the government’s decision and alleged that Prime Minister Imran Khan had failed to keep his word to commit suicide rather than approaching the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for bailout packages. Instead, he alleged, it was the common man who was being forced to commit suicide amid skyrocketing inflation.

The PML-N leader said the consistently soaring price was evidence of the fact that the ruling party had hammered out a “fraudulent budget” and sought immediate reversal of the increase in petroleum and liquefied petroleum gas prices.

Taking a jibe at the PTI, Bilawal said that in the wider national interest, PM Imran must take one more U-turn and change the direction of his “anti-public policies” on 180 degrees.

“The masses are already bearing the brunt of the inflation and skyrocketing prices. Increasing the prices of petrol products further is like fanning the flames of inflation,” he was quoted as saying in the statement issued by Media Cell Bilawal House.

The PPP chairman alleged that after ruining the national economy, tax and levy on petroleum products have become the key source of revenue for the PTI government.

Bilawal said: “Since the government has come into power, Pakistanis have longed for relief and good news even while there is an unchecked sale to plunder the national resources is going on, with the aim of benefiting the selected Prime Minister’s ATMs.”

He demanded of the PTI government to withdraw the rise in oil prices and additional taxes imposed on them without delay.