ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Saturday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had not formulated its economic policies by keeping in mind the common man’s monthly budget.

While comparing the performance of the PTI’s government with the past PPP government, he said that the prices of not only food items but every item have shot up during the last three years.

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan government had failed, and promised that "Roti, kapra, aur makaan" would be provided to all the citizens the day PPP comes into power.

The PPP chairman, in a statement, on Saturday, explained how the predicaments in Pakistan’s current policies had affected livelihoods.

“The policies of right-wing parties have failed,” he said.

“The policies of right-wing parties only benefit the rich,” Bilawal pointed out.

“History stands witness to the "Roti, kapra aur makaan" promises that the Pakistan Peoples Party fulfilled,” the PPP chairman said.

“The PTI government, under the selected Prime Minister, on the other hand, has increased inflation to an extent where the monthly flour needs of a family of five are met at Rs3,500. During the PPP’s tenure, the flour needs of an ordinary family of five people cost Rs1,975 per month,” he said.

Drawing comparisons with the current inflation rate, the PPP chairman revealed, “During the PPP regime, an ordinary family used to buy children's clothes for Rs600. It costs them Rs3,600 today.”

He further continued, “When the PPP was the ruling government, a typical family of five used to pay an average of Rs3,500 house rent, but under the PTI, it costs them Rs22,000.”

“These alarming statistics will continue to worsen, if the “puppet” prime minister is not held accountable.”

While articulating comparisons between the PPP and the PTI, Bilawal emphasised how inflation caused by a global economic crisis during the PPP’s tenure was followed by a 59 percent increase in the common man's income.

“The Pakistan Peoples Party increased salaries by up to 150 percent during its federal tenure, so that the burden of the global economic crisis does not fall on the common citizen,” said the PPP chairman.

“Insha’Allah, by forming the next government, the Pakistan Peoples Party will continue to solve the basic problems of the people.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021