The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) on Thursday said the 'frequent' increase in prices of petroleum products was meant to make up for widening fiscal deficit.
"The rulers have failed to do any good to the economy, instead they are resorting to measures, which have further compounded the things worse", Acting PML (N) President Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told a news conference here at the party's camp office.
He pointed out that since General Pervez Musharraf took over, there had been 55 percent and 180 percent increase in prices of petrol and diesel, respectively, making life difficult for the people.
Chaudhry Nisar contended there was no justification in raising petroleum prices, keeping in view the fact that Saudi Arabia had been supplying daily 50,000 barrels petrol free of cost since Pakistan detonated nuclear devices in 1998.
Owing to bad economic policy of the present government, he said it had become almost impossible for the common man to earn two-time bread for his family.
Chaudhry Nisar alleged that the government was sidelining the Parliament on all issues such as Kashmir policy, nuclear proliferation issue and operation in Wana, saying: "It has become crystal clear that the General Musharraf is fulfilling the United States agenda."
He went on to say that the Parliament and the Cabinet were being run like Iraq's governing council and General Musharraf acting like Paul Bremer.
The country, the PML (N) leader cautioned, was being pushed towards serious crises, as the rulers were blindly completing foreign agenda at the stake of the country's vital national interests. He, however, was hopeful that Alliance for Restoration of Democracy's next phase of anti-government movement, starting from March 11 would trigger the rulers' downfall.
He said the PML (N) along with other opposition groups would hold the government's accountability on so-called transfer of power, nuclear issue, Kashmir policy, Wana operation and Quetta massacre, adding: "The act of terror in Quetta is the worst tragedy in Balochistan's history, but I am surprised to see that neither the governor nor the chief minister of the province has resigned over this tragedy."
Referring to killings in Wana, Chaudhry Nisar said the security forces had opened fire on innocent people, portraying them as terrorists. "If they were terrorists, why compensation was announced", he questioned.
About Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, the PML (N) leader said Jamali was overjoyed over being awarded the mere tag of the prime minister.
Chaudhry Nisar deplored the way the issue of nuclear proliferation was handled, saying singling out nuclear scientists was totally unfortunate and unjustified. He said the real powers were in the hands of General Musharraf, and the office of the Prime Minister and the Parliament were showpieces.
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