Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday labelled the recent hike in fuel prices as an act of economic terrorism by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led federal government. The opposition party called the per litre increase of Rs 13.18 in petrol and diesel prices, taking them to Rs 310.71 and Rs. 323.30 per litre respectively as “cruel act”.
PTI Condemns Fuel Price Increase Amid Stable Global Oil Prices
PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram in a statement said this came while global oil prices had been stable or declining. “The regime’s pricing science is consistent: relief from falling global prices never reaches the public, but any minor increase abroad is passed on within 48 hours with added taxes,” he added.
Taking a jibe at the central government, he said those who once demanded the price of petrol at the rate of Rs 70 per litre now shamelessly justified prices crossing Rs 300. “This regime has perfected the art of shifting every burden onto the people while shielding its own failures,” he added.
PTI Criticises Security Crackdown in Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Talking about the ongoing unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Akram alleged that the regime was attempting to turn the region into a replica of occupied Kashmir by deploying 4,000 FC personnel and Rangers and imposing a month-long communication blackout to crush a “peaceful” movement. The demands of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee for affordable electricity and flour are legitimate, he added.
“PTI warns that holding any election under siege would be a pre-arranged selection, not democracy. We demand the immediate lifting of restrictions,” he said while referring to upcoming general elections of AJK. He underlined that PTI stood firmly with its decision to boycott elections in Kashmir.
PTI Condemns Balochistan Attacks and Calls for New Strategy
In the statement, PTI condemned recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and paid tribute to martyred security personnel. “Purely military approaches have failed for five decades,” the PTI information secretary said, urging the need for implementation of the party’s six-point roadmap. The roadmap includes modern intelligence driven operations, addressing public grievances, dialogue with constitutional nationalists, distinguishing between those who respect the Constitution and those who do not, equitable use of resources for local development, and an inclusive political process involving all stakeholders.
PTI Demands Medical Care for Imran Khan and Release of Political Prisoners
Akram also demanded immediate transfer of incarcerated PTI chief Imran Khan to a proper hospital for examination by his personal physicians, including Dr Faisal Sultan, in the presence of family. “We also urge for the immediate release of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid and all other political prisoners. The regime will be held fully responsible for any further harm to them,” he added.
In conclusion, the information secretary alleged that the federal government stood exposed for “economic warfare against citizens, suppression of peaceful dissent, engineered crises for corrupt gains, and vindictive political persecution.” PTI will continue to resist this tyranny through every constitutional and democratic means, he added.
