An opposition-led violent protest by lawmakers against recent increase in petroleum products prices in the Lower House on Monday compelled the government to decide till today (Tuesday) the withdrawal of increase at a time when it's beleaguered Prime Minister is desperately mustering top national political leadership support to save the slot.
The opposition's attitude showed 'enough is enough' on the regular increment in petroleum products prices, as the masses were not given a sigh of relief even at the eve of New Year. Though they had differences amongst themselves, the PML-N, PML-Q, MQM, JUI-F, PPP-Sherpao demanded an immediate 'withdrawal' of the decision. "Take sense of the house" was the demand of protesting legislators instead of going for a debate on the issue saying "time of holding debate has passed". In addition, the MQM and JUI-F had staged a walkout from the proceedings in protest against the price hike.
However, the Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfand Yar Wali Khan came to the rescue of the government as he convinced parliamentary leaders of MQM, PML-N and PML-Q to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani over the issue. "Let us discuss it with the Prime Minister and let him make an announcement today (Tuesday)," said the ANP chief.
Sardar Mehtab Haider of PML-N accepted the suggestion floated by the ANP chief and urged the speaker to adjourn the house till Tuesday. However, Haider Abbas Rizvi of MQM differed to the extent that the house should continue debate over the issue.
Wearing black armbands in protest against the price hike, the parliamentarians of PML-N shouted, thumped desks, raised slogans while demanding of the government to immediately take its decision back. "If a democratic government takes its decision back for the welfare of its people there is no harm in taking it," said leader of the opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.
Speaking on a point of order, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan lashed out at the government saying it never justified increase in prices of petroleum products in the past and has always shifted burden on the OGRA. This is last time for the government to rectify deteriorating situation by taking the decision back, he said.
While referring to his past experience of the field, Chaudhry Nisar said that the figures projected by the government for the people were distorted, adding over and above Rs 100 billion have been earned by it through Petroleum Levy. You cannot link Petroleum Levy, Dealers' Margin, OMC Margin with price hike of crude oil in the international market, he questioned."How could you tax if you are no more in government?" Chaudhry Nisar added.
Khawaja Saad Rafiq of PML-N said that the government had discussed with political parties the issue of RGST then why it did not follow decision in this matter. Haider Abbas Rizvi of MQM categorically demanded of the government withdrawal of increase in prices while rejecting the proposal of holding a debate on the subject.
Syed Naved Qamar of PPP had requested the Speaker to suspend rest of business of the National Assembly and hold a debate on the issue under Rule 259 of Rules of Business. Raza Hayat Hiraj of PML-Q urged the speaker to take the sense of the house over the increase. 'Let us have a counting. We want to see those who are in favour of this price hike,' he added.
The government should not punish the people if it is unable to control its corruption, he said. Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman of JUI-F said that the government had no other option but to withdraw the decision if it wanted to stay in power. Similarly, Aftab Khan Sherpao urged the government to immediately withdraw its decision.
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