MULTAN: Local traders, industrialists and businessmen on Saturday berated the government for a huge hike in fuel prices, saying that it was akin to dropping a bomb on the people, who were already hard pressed by runaway inflation, acute shortages of electricity and natural gas, unemployment and poverty.

Terming the move anti-people, they said that instead of increasing petroleum prices, the government should have cut its own expenditure by adopting strict austerity measures.

President of Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Mian Anis A Sheikh termed the move detrimental to national economy and urged the government to immediately withdraw the increase in POL prices.

He said that a regular increase in petroleum prices was a serious issue, which had badly disturbed the economic life of the common man, adding that the government should increase the tax base and tax collection system should be improved.

Opposing the weekly revision of POL prices, he said that the previous system of monthly review should be reintroduced.

Meanwhile, Muttahida Shehri Mahaz staged a demonstration at Chowk Nawan Shehr and burnt tyres to express their anger.

Shouting anti-government slogans, they said that it seemed the government wanted people to commute on bicycles, adding that instead of providing any relief to the masses, it was adding to their problems.