Increase in petroleum prices: Allies, opposition join hands against govt

PML-N, MQM submit motions in NA; ANP, Jamaat-e-Islami file in Senate.

ISLAMABAD: The already embattled government came under fire from its own coalition partners as well as from the opposition for its Friday’s decision to increase prices of petroleum products by up to nine per cent.

These parties filed adjournment motions in both houses of parliament, seeking debate on the issue, which, they believe will increase inflation and ultimately multiply the problems of the common man.

Not only that, the government decision was also challenged in the high courts of Sindh and Lahore.

The Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), the main opposition party, submitted an adjournment motion in the National Assembly. The party expressed serious concerns on skyrocketing fuel prices and its possible impact on  soaring inflation.

“The government, which promises food, clothing and shelter to the common man, has made their lives miserable,” says the motion filed by Haneef Abbasi in the National Assembly Secretariat. It has signatures of six PML-N lawmakers.

It refers to chronic gas and electricity shortages and says that spiraling prices will only increase poverty in the country.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which recently pulled out the federal cabinet but still sits on the treasury benches, also submitted an adjournment motion  in the lower house of parliament.

The motion has been signed by MQM Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the National Assembly Hyder Abbas Rizvi and MNAs SA Iqbal Sadri, Abdul Nadir Khanzada and Shagufta Sadiq. “The increase is “unjust” and the resulting tsunami of price-hike will drown the common man,” says the motion.

It says that keeping in view the importance of the issue the routine business of the National Assembly should be suspended in order to discuss the motion. It calls upon the government to withdraw the increase.

Meanwhile two similar motions were submitted in the upper house of parliament.

Senator Zahid Khan and Afrasiab Khattak of the Awami National Party (ANP), a coalition partner of the ruling PPP, submitted an adjournment motion on behalf of their party in the Senate Secretariat.

“The poor are already confronted with inflation and now the increase in prices of petroleum products will multiply their problems,” says the motion calling for immediate debate on the issue.

The Jamaat-i-Islami also filed a similar motion, with one of its Senators Professor Khurshid Ahmed calling the increase in petroleum prices “another petrol bomb” on the people.

The National Assembly is already in session while the Senate was prorogued after passing the 19th amendment on Friday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2011.