PESHAWAR
Chairman, Amun Taraqqi Party (ATP) Muhammad Faiq Shah has rejected a fresh hike in prices of petroleum commodities for the second half of April, terming it as an unwise step of the government in the present scenario, which will bring a new wave of the inflation in the country.
Shah talking to senior members of the Economic Journalists Forum here on Sunday said that the government has made overnight increase in petrol by Rs10 per litre, rising up at Rs282 per litre and keep price of diesel unchanged, citing that prices of petroleum product jacked up in line of increase in international market.
He expressed fear that a new storm of inflation will further elevate miseries of poverty-stricken masses after the hike in petroleum commodities.
Furthermore, he criticised the government for making the life of the common man miserable.
No relief is being provided to poverty-stricken people, he added.
Shah maintained that inflation and unemployment have sharply risen up, while the Pakistan rupee continued to depreciate against the US dollar.
He said the government and its economic team has failed to put the national economy on the right path.
The ATP chairman said international financial lenders didn’t trust the ruling coalition government of Pakistan as the IMF has asked to meet more demands to get fresh tranche.
Despite the commitments by UAE and Saudi Arabia of additional deposits, Shah noted the economic situation is further deteriorating owing to delay in another tranche of IMF bailout package to Pakistan.
He said people from different walks of life, especially traders, industrialists, daily wagers, labour, employees, and the working class have become highly perturbed owing to the prevailing situations.
Faiq said the government is lacking any plan or strategy to recover the ailing economy, industrialisation and creating investment, employment opportunities in the country.
Commenting on the current judicial and constitutional crisis, the party chief said people have become victims of the tug of war between government and opposition.
Shah observed everything has been put on stake for protection of personal interests and survival in politics.
He once again emphasized that dialogue is the best way to come out from the present crisis.
While expressing his condolences over the sad demise of federal minister for religious affairs, Mufti Abdul Shakoor in a road accident, Shah praised his efforts for interfaith harmony.
