Increase in POL prices: adjournment motions submitted in National Assembly, Senate

Two opposition parties and one of the government coalition partners on Saturday submitted adjournment motions in National Assembly and Senate against the phenomenal increase in petroleum products'' prices and termed it a petrol bomb on the poor masses already feeling the pinch of unprecedented price hike.
The two adjournment motions were submitted in the National Assembly Secretariat separately by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), a coalition partner of the PPP-led government. While, Jamaat-i-Islami submitted a similar adjournment motion in Senate Secretariat and termed the increase in the POL prices as an unjust step.
The PML-N''s adjournment motion sought debate in the Lower House on the recent increase in the POL prices by suspending the routine business. It was signed by six members of the party including Raja Mohammad Asad, Mohammad Hanif Abbasi and Begum Tanveer
They described the increase in the petroleum products'' prices on the eve of New Year as dropping a petrol bomb on the masses, adding that it would further increase the overall price hike in the country and add to problems of the masses. The motion added that the hike in the POL prices would affect other commodities of daily use and have negative impact on the agriculture sector, which is backbone of the country''s economy.
The party sources said that PML-N would aggressively take up the issue in National Assembly and Senate and the lawmakers have been directed by the party leadership to adopt a strong stance in both houses of the Parliament against the increase in the POL prices.
MQM also submitted an adjournment motion in the National Assembly Secretariat against the recent increase in oil prices. Party''s MNA Abdul Kadir Khanzada, while talking to Business Recorder confirmed it, saying that the motion has been signed by Haider Abbas Rizvi, S. A Iqbal Qadri, Abdul Kadir Khanzada and Mrs Shagufta Sadiq.
He said that the party has sought debate in the House on the issue. He said that the increase in oil prices would seriously impact the prices of daily commodities, adding that the people are already in miserable condition due the overall price hike in the country.
"It is very cruel step by the government. The MQM strongly demands of the government to withdraw the increase immediately," he maintained. Meanwhile, three JI''s senators including Professor Khurshid Ahmed, Professor Ibrahim and Afia Zia also submitted adjournment motion in Senate Secretariat against the increase in POL prices.
The senators termed the increase as injustice with the people of the country on the eve of the New Year and also described it a gift in the shape of petrol bomb by the government. They further said that the entire nation was taken aback by the decision, demanding that the issue should be discussed in the Upper House of the Parliament.