PTI leader Ejaz Chaudhary said it has been established now that Sharif Brothers are puppet of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). First IMF dictated the budget they presented now on the directions of IMF they have increased power tariff he added. He said PML-N raised the power tariff to keep IMF happy so that they can get more and more loans. The current rise in power tariff is truly shameful, as the poor will suffer even more by paying high electric bills he added. He said Sharif Brothers are taking loans upon loans to enjoy their lavish life styles. Instead to cut down expenses during the last two years, PM House expenses increased by over 100 percent he added. He said when it comes to poor they can go to any extent to extort the money from them through indirect taxes, high electricity and gas tariffs. He questioned how much burden Sharif Brothers want to impose on poor segment of the society? People are committing suicides due to poverty and hunger he added.
PTI leader Yasmin Rashid said PML-N instead of imposing taxes on the affluent classes always turn to indirect taxes that hurt poor masses. She said Sharif Brothers have squeezed the poor abruptly by imposing more indirect taxes and hiking in gas and electricity rates. She said ahead of holy month of Ramzan first they have increased the prices of petroleum products now this hike in power tariff would increase the inflation. This decision is insane and reflects a complete disconnect of ruling elite from the people on the ground she added. She said Sharif Brothers are giving annual 4 billion subsidies to Lahore and Rawalpindi- Islamabad Metro Bus but they do not have money to subsidize the power sector. She said Pakistan could not progress until and unless we do not detach our self from cruel clutches of IMF. IMF agenda is to eradicate the poor instead of eradicating poverty she added.
PTI Information Secretary Andleeb Abbas termed current increase in power tariff unjust and irrational. She said Sharif Brothers are doing all this on the instructions of IMF otherwise there is no need to increase the power tariff. Pakistan produces 40 percent of its electricity from furnace oil and the oil prices have nosedive she added. She said it is one of the most degrading and shameful act of PML-N government to incite the poor masses of Pakistan to starve their family and deprive the masses of the right of existence and right to live by raising the electricity tariff. She said Lahore High Court (LHC) had declared all surcharges unconstitutional and asked the government to refund the money to the consumers. But unfortunately Supreme Court of Pakistan suspended the LHC decision now the poor have to bear the burden again she added.
Andleeb Abbas questioned when would the big tax evaders be brought into the tax net. Instead of widening tax base insensitive Sharif Brothers resorted to taxing the already overly taxed poor public She added. She said government needs to tighten its belt rather than increasing financial burden on the beleaguered consumers.
Media Cell
PTI Punjab