Testing waters: PTI men give govt five weeks to reverse economic policies
3,000 workers attend the protest in front of the Lahore Press Club.
3,000 workers attend the protest in front of the Lahore Press Club. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK/EXPRESS
LAHORE:
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers threatened a mass protest on Friday if the government did not reverse the prices of petroleum products and electricity tariff in five weeks.
They made the demands at a protest rally organised by the PTI in front of the Lahore Press Club on Friday. The rally was attended by nearly 3,000 workers and supporters of the party. A number of female workers also attended the demonstration.
The rally was scheduled for 3pm but the people started gathering at the press club after 4pm.
Imran Khan did not participate in the protest despite being present in the city.
The participants carried posters bearing anti-government messages.
They also chanted slogans against the government’s economic policies.
They condemned the government for “pushing the common man to the brink of starvation.”
Some PTI workers also set up stalls to sell party caps, badges and headbands.
A party official said the rally was a mobilisation exercise.
Party chairman Imran Khan had urged party workers during a press conference and address to the Insaf Youth Wing on Thursday to actively participate in the protests.
Talking to the protestors, PTI Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhary said the government’s policies were anti-people. He said the ruling party was looting the national exchequer without any qualms.
MNA Shafqat Mehmood criticised the government’s decisions which he said had led to price hike in the country.
Opposition leader in Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, PTI Lahore President Abdul Aleem Khan and MPA Aslam Iqbal also spoke to the protestors.
They said the government should reverse its decision to increase prices of petroleum products and food.
“The government has five weeks to reverse its economic policies. If they fail to do so, the PTI will sweep them out of power corridors,” they claimed.
In Multan, a gathering was addressed by MNAs Shah Mehmood Quershi and Javed Hashmi. The meeting was also addressed by MNA Jamshad Dasti from Muzaffargarh.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2013.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers threatened a mass protest on Friday if the government did not reverse the prices of petroleum products and electricity tariff in five weeks.
They made the demands at a protest rally organised by the PTI in front of the Lahore Press Club on Friday. The rally was attended by nearly 3,000 workers and supporters of the party. A number of female workers also attended the demonstration.
The rally was scheduled for 3pm but the people started gathering at the press club after 4pm.
Imran Khan did not participate in the protest despite being present in the city.
The participants carried posters bearing anti-government messages.
They also chanted slogans against the government’s economic policies.
They condemned the government for “pushing the common man to the brink of starvation.”
Some PTI workers also set up stalls to sell party caps, badges and headbands.
A party official said the rally was a mobilisation exercise.
Party chairman Imran Khan had urged party workers during a press conference and address to the Insaf Youth Wing on Thursday to actively participate in the protests.
Talking to the protestors, PTI Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhary said the government’s policies were anti-people. He said the ruling party was looting the national exchequer without any qualms.
MNA Shafqat Mehmood criticised the government’s decisions which he said had led to price hike in the country.
Opposition leader in Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, PTI Lahore President Abdul Aleem Khan and MPA Aslam Iqbal also spoke to the protestors.
They said the government should reverse its decision to increase prices of petroleum products and food.
“The government has five weeks to reverse its economic policies. If they fail to do so, the PTI will sweep them out of power corridors,” they claimed.
In Multan, a gathering was addressed by MNAs Shah Mehmood Quershi and Javed Hashmi. The meeting was also addressed by MNA Jamshad Dasti from Muzaffargarh.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2013.