PTI protests against inflation

Leaders criticise govt for unprecedented increase in cost of living

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged a protest demonstration against rising inflation in the country on Sunday. A large number of party workers, carrying banners and placards, turned up to participate in the demonstration staged at Liaquatabad No 10.

While addressing the participants, PTI Karachi President Aftab Siddiqui said that the huge turnout at the protest showed that the people of Karachi were standing with Imran Khan in his struggle for real freedom.

Senior PTI leader Haleem Adil Sheikh said that Imran Khan has become a household name in Karachi. "The people who had rendered sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan will strengthen the hands of Imran Khan," he added while referring to the people of Karachi.

He slammed the PDM government for the unprecedented increase in the cost of living in the country, saying that the price of roti (flat-bread) has gone up to Rs20 from Rs12, while broiler chicken's price has increased from Rs300 to Rs750 per kg.

Another senior PTI leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi said that Liaquatabad was named after Liaquat Ali Khan, who had raised his fist against India. Residents of Liaquatabad, who migrated from India to live in the new homeland of Muslims, had supported the Quaid-i-Azam's sister in the election. "Today, they have turned out in large numbers to participate in the protest against inflation," he added.

Former Sindh governor Imran Ismail said that the PDM government, especially Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, could try as much as they could to escape from the elections, but the only way out of the current mess was free, fair and transparent general elections. "Today, Imran Khan is the only hope for Pakistan," he added.

While addressing the protesters, Khurram Sher Zaman hit out at political rivals, saying that those who called PTI "Clifton's party" should come to Liaquatabad today to see the party's support. "Residents of Liaquatabad have proved that they stand with Imran Khan like rest of the country," he added.

While speaking at the protest, PTI's Bilal Ghaffar said that it has become almost impossible for a person earning Rs1,000 a day to keep his kitchen running. Shabbir Qureshi said that everyone, including labourers and farmers, were demanding that the imported government was not acceptable.

Saima Nadeem said that inflation has made it impossible for women to meet household expenses. "Women are made to stand in long queues to buy wheat flour at subsidized rates," she said, adding that the rulers had failed to deliver. "Raising a single child

Renowned businessman Sharjeel Goplani said that markets have become deserted as the country was suffering from economic depression.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2023.