Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday organised a big rally in Multan city which was attended by about 1000 activists. The rally was led by Senator Malik Rafiq Rajwana, MNA Sheiukh Tariq Rasheed, Haji Ehsan-uddin Qureshi, Punjab Minister for Housing and Auqaf, Bilal Butt, District President.
The demonstrators were shouting slogans against the government and burnt tyres. Addressing the demo the PML-N leaders said the recent hike in the POL prices was unjust and it would bring more inflation to the country. They said it was the worst injustice done by the present rulers with the poor people of the country. They said the president and the prime minister were enjoying foreign tours on the expenses of national chequer but the masses were facing hardships in the country.
They said if the government did not change its behaviour, the masses would launch a countrywide agitation against the government. He said the people would not accept the recent raise in the POL prices and start a movement against it. MNA Shaikh Tariq Rasheed also condemned the government's decision and said the government had failed to provide basic amenities to masses. He said the recent decision of increase in POL and CNG prices would create more problems for the people who were already living in the miserable condition.
Other political and religious parties also condemned the recent increase in POL and CNG prices and demanded of the government to immediately withdraw decision. Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other political parties also staged demonstrations in the city.They demanded of the government to take back the increase in the POL prices immediately. They said that instead of burdening the public by raising the POL prices, non-development expenditure should be slashed.
The committee also called for adopting strict austerity measures by the ruling class to give relief to the poor people. All Pakistan Bedsheet & Upholstery Manufacturers Association (APBUMA) Chairman, Syed Muhammad Aasim Shah said the government was taking such cruel and anti-industry decisions to halt the business activities by jacking up the input cost like the massive increase in petroleum products prices.
He said industry was providing free transport to their workers, but after constant hike in diesel prices, it would not be feasible to provide them free transportation facility. Syed Muhammad Aasim Shah said the country would suffer a loss of 40 percent decline in exports due to power shortages and high cost of petroleum products. He said loss due to low exports could not be compensated by enhancing petroleum levy. He observed that due to high cost of production the local industry would be wiped out absolutely from the region.