-PM directs Punjab CM to speed up efforts to provide relief to the people from inflation
-Wants price control committees mobilized at district, Tehsil levels
-Emphasizes timely completion of ongoing projects in Punjab
-Opposition launches protests against inflation in various cities
From Abid Usman
LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday directed Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar to speed up efforts to provide people relief from inflation by having all relevant institutions spring into action.
The premier issued the directive during a meeting with CM Buzdar during his visit to Lahore.
“The government is well aware of the suffering of common citizens due to inflation, therefore, it will ensure the provision of relief to the people as much as possible,” said the prime minister.
He said that price control committees have been formed to control inflation. He also said that indiscriminate crackdown against hoarders and profiteers will continue in the province.
The premier directed Buzdar to complete all the ongoing developmental works within the allocated time and ensure their quality.
PM Imran Khan said that the law is “equal for all”, adding that the government is making efforts to ensure the supremacy of the law in the counry. During the meeting, Buzdar briefed the premier about the Punjab government’s efforts for the provision of relief to the public. He also informed PM Imran Khan about the progress of the ongoing developmental projects in Punjab, saying that they are in full swing.
Moreover, the chief minister briefed PM Imran Khan on steps being taken to make local government bodies operational.
Meanwhile, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar also met with the prime minister. In the meeting with PM Imran Khan, Sarwar said that the European Union will decide in Pakistan’s favour when it comes to the extension of GPS+ status.
The governor briefed the premier about his Europe visit aimed at the extension of GSP+ status. The premier appreciated the governor’s role in the matter. Sarwar informed PM that he met 30 members of the European Parliament including four vice-presidents in his visit.
Members of the European Parliament recognize Pakistan’s role in peace efforts in the region. The governor said that Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process was “appreciated by all” in Europe, the governor said, adding, European parliamentarians have pledged support for the extension of Pakistan’s GSP+ status, the governor said.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have taken to the streets in various cities across Pakistan to put pressure on the government amid surging inflation in the country. After the call to protest was given by the Opposition, protesters took to the streets in Karachi, Larkana, Lahore, Sukkur, Mardan, Jacobabad, Mohmand, Ziarat, Mingora and other cities of the country.
People shouted slogans against the government and rising inflation. Traffic at the Quetta-Chaman highway remained suspended for several hours due to the rally.
In Karachi, the demonstration started near the Empress Market area, due to which the surrounding roads had to be sealed.
In Lahore, PML-N members staged a protest against inflation at the Jain Mandir Chowk while carrying utility bills and pieces of rotis (bread) in their hands. Akin to that, party members in Muzaffargarh started a protest rally from Central Jamia Masjid to Qanwan Chowk. Members of the Jamaat-e-Islami also staged a protest in front of the Muzaffargarh Press Club during which they chanted slogans against inflation.
PML-N’s Qari Saifullah Saifi led the protest in Murree. When protesters reached the city’s Mall Road, many tourists also joined in.
In Mardan, protesters started gathering at the city’s Kachehri Chowk, while in Gilgit, members of PML-N, as well as JUI, participated in the protest rally at Ittihad Chowk.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif appealed to the masses and asked them to join the protest against growing inflation in the country.
He maintained that giving more time to the government means that people of the country will have to face more troubles, more inflation, more unemployment.
“The economic condition of the country and its people would not improve unless we get rid of this tyrannical government,” said Shahbaz, as he directed party leaders of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to ensure cooperation with civic and business organisations and people’s associations and appealed to the people to join the nationwide protests against inflation.
Earlier in the day, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah had said that demonstrations will be held at Lahore’s Jain Mandir Chowk after Friday prayers. The former Punjab law minister invited labourers, traders, lawyers and other wings to support the Opposition’s protest.
“The masses will get relief only when this inept and corrupt government is sent packing,” said Sanaullah, urging people to come out of their homes and join in.
Separately, the PPP also held a protest in Karachi — led by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah — against the rising inflation in the country. The protest was held in Karachi’s Malir district.
CM Shah, while addressing the participants of the protest, criticised the incumbent government and said: “Thieves of wheat and sugar should spare the poor masses. Only Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari can rid the poor of inflation.”
